What students learn in AC9S2U01
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: recognise Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify patterns in the changing position of the sun, moon, planets and stars in the sky.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- identifying celestial objects that can be observed in space such as the sun, moon, stars and planets viewing images or video of Earth from space, describing the shape of Earth and discussing how the images or video were taken
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: recognise Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify patterns in the changing position of the sun, moon, planets and stars in the sky
- E1: identifying celestial objects that can be observed in space such as the sun, moon, stars and planets
- E2: viewing images or video of Earth from space, describing the shape of Earth and discussing how the images or video were taken
- E3: exploring representations of the solar system and identifying Earth and other planets
- E4: observing that some phenomena in the sky are only visible during the day and others during the night
- E5: investigating how shadow length changes with the changing position of the sun, identifying patterns and making predictions
- E6: creating a class moon diary across a month, identifying patterns in the changing shape of the moon and making predictions
- E7: viewing a time lapse video of the sun, moon, stars or a satellite’s movement across the sky
- E8: observing and describing short-term and longer-term patterns of events that occur in the sky, such as the appearance of the moon and stars at different times of the month or year
- E9: distinguishing between regular events that occur in the sky, such as the appearance of a full moon, and irregular events such as ‘blue’, ‘blood’ or ‘super’ moons
- E10: exploring how cultural stories of First Nations Peoples of Australia describe the patterns in the changing positions of the sun, moon and stars (teaching context)
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S2U01 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S2U01 — recognise Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify patterns in the changing position of the sun, moon, planets and stars in the sky |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 2 Science: closest match in Earth and space sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 1 Science: closest content focus for Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 2 NGSS science closest topic match for Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 1 / Year 2: closest programme-of-study match for Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 2 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 1 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 2 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Earth is a planet in the solar system and identify.... |