Start with a map of the community and continue with a state map, then a map of the country, a globe of the world, and finally an illustration of the solar system. To help the students learn the positions of the planets, make up a phrase using the first letter of each planet's name in the order of their distances from the sun. Note that until 1999, the orbit of Pluto will be closer to the sun than that of Neptune. Let the students act out the parts of the sun and the Earth. Have them demonstrate the rotation of the Earth and its revolution around the sun.
Students can use colored styrofoam balls to construct a model of the solar system.
Have the students choose a planet, research the planet, and then present this information to the other students. At this time, the students can make a living model of the solar system. Students can use a spring scale to measure the gravitational pull or weight of several objects. They can compare the gravitational pull and construct a chart of their results.