Sun and the Planets

Learning Outcomes

Learn about different characteristics and motions, etc. of stars, planets and satellites e.g., sun, earth and moon in order to distinguish between them.

Description Of Activity

Place a Hula Hoop at the center. Make 2 parallel lines, equidistant from the Hula Hoop, 5-8 meters away from the Hula Hoop.  

Depending upon the no of children in a section, divide the class into 2 teams representing 

1. Planets
2. Planets and Satellites of these Planets

Both teams stand on the lines facing each other. The Planets to be on the line and Satellites behind their respective Planets. 

Place a Handkerchief or Bean Bag in the middle of the Hula Hoop. This represents the Sun. 

On the blow of a whistle, the Teacher calls out a Planet or Satellite either by Name, Position, Size, No. of Moons, Juvians (Merc-Mars, Heavier) Planets or Terrestial (Lighter, Gaseous, Less Density) Planets

The Planet or Satellite from both teams have to run to the center to fetch the Sun (Handkerchief or Bean Bag) from the Hula Hoop. 

The Planet/Satellite has to pick the Sun and run back to their own line before the Planet/Satellite from the other team touches him. In case the Planet/Satellite from the other team touches him/her, the player is out. 

If he/she comes back successfully without being touched, the team gets 3 points. If the player from the other team touches the player, the other team gets 2 point. 

The game is played till all the learning outcomes are met. 

Variations

Teacher calls out a Planet or Satellite either by Name, Position, Size, No. of Moons, Juvians (Merc-Mars, Heavier) Planets or Terrestial (Lighter, Gaseous, Less Density) Planets. 

You may have Bibs / Jerseys with numbers.

Coaching Tips

Before the Game starts, teacher may ask players to do a name call - Mercury, Venus, Earth … Satellite Names, Heaviest Planet, Farthest Planet etc.

Teacher can introduce the concept of distances, concept of asking teams to make their own strategies. 

Teacher may (ask children to) carry pictures of planets, satellites with them, with characteristics mentioned on these charts. 

Equipment/Material Required

Hula Hoop, Bean Bag or Handkerchief, Cone Markers. In case Hula Hoop is not available, even circular chalk marking on ground. Lines to be marked on the ground, which can even be done with cone markers.