1
Unit 1: The Solar system:
1.1. The Sun, planets and asteroids
• the Sun (a star) is at the center of our Solar System
• there are eight planets and the asteroid belt (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroid
belt, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) in orbit around the Sun
• each planet has its own
features, size, orbit and position in relation to the Sun, composition (rocky and gas
planets) and number of moons (some have no moons)
• the planets and Asteroids take different amounts of time to revolve around the Sun*
1.2. Moons
• moons, including our Moon do not give out their own heat and light
• our Moon can be seen from Earth because the light from the Sun shines onto its
surface
• on the Moon we can see craters, lighter areas which are mountains, and darker areas
which are flat plains
KEY QUESTIONS
• How can we tell the difference between a
star and a planet? • What are asteroids? •
What is a moon? Does the Moon produce its
own light? • Can we see the Moon during
the day?
Term 4: Planet Earth and Beyond
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 2
1. The solar system.
The solar system consists of the Sun and all the planets that orbit around it. It also
includes asteroids and the planets' moons. In the first image, you can see a diagram of
the solar system. In the second image in the next activity, you can see another diagram
of the solar system. Both these diagrams try to show you what the solar system is like.
The solar system was formed billions of years ago.
Teacher notes:
Review briefly the information about the solar system and the Sun as a star that introduces
the Unit.
ACTIVITY: WORD SEARCH ABOUT SPACE.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 3
1. Find all the words in the word search.
2. Draw a circle around each word.
Space
Gravity
Astronomy
Teacher notes:
Orbit
Explain to learners the words and their
Rotate meaning. A great way to learn this is by
Moon repeating words and phrases.
Axis HINT: Game that could be payed is to see
Galaxy who find the words first.
Sunrise
Sunset
Star
S U N R I S E R E G
A S B H D I M O O N
J P T P V K D R C U
L A X A M F O B S D
Y C I G R W J I H A
X E S U N S E T F X
A K G R A V I T Y I
L R O T A T E C A S
A S T R O N O M Y B
G Q L Y E E Z M T N
ACTIVITY: KEYWORDS.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 4
1. Match column A (Keywords) with Column B (Definitions).
Column A Answe Column B
r
1. 1. Moon e a. a. A huge ball of burning gas in space.
2. 2.Sun b. b. To do with the Sun.
3. 3.Solar system c. c. Chunks of rock that travel around the Sun.
4. 4.Star d. d. A force that pulls on other objects.
5. 5. Planet e. e. A solid rocky body that travels round a planet.
6. 6. Asteroid f. f. A layer of gas around a planet or other object in space.
7. 7. Atmosphere g. g. A large object that revolves around the Sun.
8. 8. Model h. h. Move around something else in an orbit.
9. 9. Gravity i. A star in our solar system.
10. 10. Solar j. A simplified version of something that helps us understand the
real thing better.
11. 11. Revolve k. k. The Sun and all the objects that travel around it.
1.1. The Sun, planets and asteroids
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
Unit 1: The Solar system:
1.1. The Sun, planets and asteroids
• the Sun (a star) is at the center of our Solar System
• there are eight planets and the asteroid belt (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroid
belt, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) in orbit around the Sun
• each planet has its own
features, size, orbit and position in relation to the Sun, composition (rocky and gas
planets) and number of moons (some have no moons)
• the planets and Asteroids take different amounts of time to revolve around the Sun*
1.2. Moons
• moons, including our Moon do not give out their own heat and light
• our Moon can be seen from Earth because the light from the Sun shines onto its
surface
• on the Moon we can see craters, lighter areas which are mountains, and darker areas
which are flat plains
KEY QUESTIONS
• How can we tell the difference between a
star and a planet? • What are asteroids? •
What is a moon? Does the Moon produce its
own light? • Can we see the Moon during
the day?
Term 4: Planet Earth and Beyond
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 2
1. The solar system.
The solar system consists of the Sun and all the planets that orbit around it. It also
includes asteroids and the planets' moons. In the first image, you can see a diagram of
the solar system. In the second image in the next activity, you can see another diagram
of the solar system. Both these diagrams try to show you what the solar system is like.
The solar system was formed billions of years ago.
Teacher notes:
Review briefly the information about the solar system and the Sun as a star that introduces
the Unit.
ACTIVITY: WORD SEARCH ABOUT SPACE.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 3
1. Find all the words in the word search.
2. Draw a circle around each word.
Space
Gravity
Astronomy
Teacher notes:
Orbit
Explain to learners the words and their
Rotate meaning. A great way to learn this is by
Moon repeating words and phrases.
Axis HINT: Game that could be payed is to see
Galaxy who find the words first.
Sunrise
Sunset
Star
S U N R I S E R E G
A S B H D I M O O N
J P T P V K D R C U
L A X A M F O B S D
Y C I G R W J I H A
X E S U N S E T F X
A K G R A V I T Y I
L R O T A T E C A S
A S T R O N O M Y B
G Q L Y E E Z M T N
ACTIVITY: KEYWORDS.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 4
1. Match column A (Keywords) with Column B (Definitions).
Column A Answe Column B
r
1. 1. Moon e a. a. A huge ball of burning gas in space.
2. 2.Sun b. b. To do with the Sun.
3. 3.Solar system c. c. Chunks of rock that travel around the Sun.
4. 4.Star d. d. A force that pulls on other objects.
5. 5. Planet e. e. A solid rocky body that travels round a planet.
6. 6. Asteroid f. f. A layer of gas around a planet or other object in space.
7. 7. Atmosphere g. g. A large object that revolves around the Sun.
8. 8. Model h. h. Move around something else in an orbit.
9. 9. Gravity i. A star in our solar system.
10. 10. Solar j. A simplified version of something that helps us understand the
real thing better.
11. 11. Revolve k. k. The Sun and all the objects that travel around it.
1.1. The Sun, planets and asteroids
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
