Texas TEKS 3.9

Science3rd GradeEarth and space

TEKS Knowledge Statement (Expectation Cluster)

Earth and space. The student knows there are recognizable objects and patterns in Earth's solar system. The student is expected to:

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Cluster contents

3.9 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students build and use a model showing Earth moving around the Sun and the Moon moving around Earth. They place the eight planets in order from the Sun.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly label the Sun, Earth, and Moon and use arrows to show their paths. They order Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the Sun moves around Earth or that the Moon does not travel with Earth around the Sun. They may confuse orbit with rotation or order planets by size.
How to Assess It: Give this exit ticket: Draw and label the Sun, Earth, and Moon with arrows showing their paths, then list the planets from the Sun outward.

Lesson moves

Use a lamp, globe, and foam ball to model Earth moving around the Sun while the Moon moves around Earth.
Ask students to write why the Moon can orbit Earth while Earth orbits the Sun.
Give groups planet cards and race to arrange them correctly from the Sun, then check with a reference diagram.
Mark one Earth year and one Moon orbit on a classroom calendar to compare their lengths.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.9, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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