Texas A&M University San Antonio

College of Education
EDED 4301 Lesson Format
This assignment covers the following competencies:
Science
Name: Jacqualyn Dingle
Date: 3/30/15
Subject/Grade: Science/3rd Grade
Duration: 20 minutes
Section ITEKS:
112.14. Science, Grade 3, (8D):
(8) Earth and space. The student knows there are recognizable patterns in the natural
world and among objects in the sky. The student is expected to:
(D) identify the planets in Earth's solar system and their position in relation to the
Sun.
Objective (SLO):
After completing this lesson, students will be able to name the planets in the solar system
and identify the correct order of the planets and the sun with 100% accuracy.
Section IIMaterials:
Picture of the solar system (paper or projector version)
Pictures of each planet labeled (paper or projector version)
Dry erase markers
White board
Magnets (optional)
Solar system labeling worksheet

Section IIIDelivery System: Hunter Model

Learning the Names of the Planets in the Solar System
(1) Anticipatory set:
The teacher will ask the children: Hey guys, do we know what the solar system is?
The students will reply: the sun and all the planets that move around it **if they
cannot come up with the answer, give subtle hints to help**
The teacher will say: Very good! Today were going to talk about the solar system. Can
you guys name any planets that you know? **Answers will vary (Earth, Venus, Pluto,
ect.)** Awesome! And what planet do we live on?

The students will reply: Earth!

(2) Direct Instruction/Modeling:
Post the picture of the sun and each planet on the board in order using the magnets. As
you post each picture say the name aloud for students to hear.
The teacher will say: This is the sun. **point** This is the planet Mercury. **point**
This is the planet Venus and this is the planet Pluto. In our solar system we have 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 planets! A way to remember the order of our planets is to use the
mnemonic device: My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. **Write it on the
board** The word my represents the planet Mercury. **write Mercury vertically
underneath the m in my** The word very represents the planet Venus. **write
Venus vertically underneath the v in very** The word eager represents the planet
Earth. **write Earth vertically underneath the e in eager**
Repeat this pattern until you have finished the mnemonic device.
Using this phrase can help us remember the correct order of the planets in our solar
system.
(3) Guided practice:
The teacher will say: Now were going to practice learning the names of the planets
together!
Both you and the students will point to each planet and say them aloud.
This is the Sun. This is the planet Mercury. This is the planet Venus. This is the planet
Earth. This is the planet Mercury. This is the planet Jupiter. This is the planet Saturn. This
is the planet Neptune. This is the planet Uranus and this the planet Pluto. **Repeat if
necessary**
Great job. Now were going to practice our mnemonic device that helps us remember
the order of the planets. Ready? My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.
Great guys.
(4) Independent Practice:
The teacher will say: Now we are going to practice learning the names of our planets by
labeling them.
** Pull up solar system labeling worksheet on the projector or overhead and explain
the directions to the class**
We are going to correctly label the planets in order. When the teacher hands out the
worksheet you may begin.
(5) Closure/Check for Understanding:
The teacher will say: You guys did an amazing job! Can someone give me the names of
the planets in our solar system in the correct order starting with the sun?
The students will reply: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto. **if they cannot come up with the first planet, give them
a hint to get them thinking**
The teacher will respond: Thats right guys! So today we learned the names of our
planets and the correct order of our planets using our mnemonic device.

Section IVSpecial Circumstances:

Children who are unable to do the physical part of the activity will only need to provide
examples to questions asked.
Repeat the names of the planets and the order several times to make sure students know
the names before moving on to the worksheet activity.
If the students cannot come up with examples to the questions give one or two to get
them thinking.
Section VReflection:
I liked this lesson because its a simple introduction to learning the planets order and
names without overwhelming them the first day.