Scale of the Solar System

After the scale model page, measure out the model distances in a hallway or yard with a tape measure so your child can see how far apart the outer planets really are. Check each page with the answer key.

Multiply AU distances by 10 to build a scale model of the solar system. A scale model shrinks real distances by the same amount so we can compare them. One astronomical unit (AU) is Earth's distance from the sun, about 93 million miles. The directions on the page read: Multiply to find the model distances 1 to 7. Then, answer 8 and 9. The page opens with a worked example, and the answer key shows every answer.

Yes, both. We made it for 5th Grade Earth and space, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with solar system. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. One worksheet gives clues, like Venus is between Mercury and Earth, so children work out the order instead of memorizing it.

The four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, are small and rocky. The four outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, are giants made mostly of gas and ice.

One astronomical unit (AU) is Earth's distance from the sun, about 93 million miles. In the scale model page, 1 AU becomes 10 inches, so Neptune at 30 AU lands about 300 inches from the sun.

Yes. All three solar system sheets have an answer key that shows every answer.

3 printable worksheets, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

These are written for 5th Grade students, roughly ages 10-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.

Yes. Each one shows the NGSS code it covers on its own page, so you can check the alignment yourself rather than taking our word for it.