Build the key vocabulary of Planet Order with this printable picture flash card set for Grade 4 science, aligned to Virginia SOL 4.5. It covers 12 essential terms, from First: Mercury and Second: Venus to Order model. Each term comes as a picture-and-word card and as a picture card with a clear, full-sentence definition, and two labeling worksheets let students show what they know.

What students practice

• First: Mercury: Mercury is the first planet from the Sun. Its orbit lies inside the orbit of every other planet.
• Second: Venus: Venus is the second planet from the Sun. Its orbit lies between the orbits of Mercury and Earth.
• Third: Earth: Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Our planet travels around the Sun between the orbits of Venus and Mars.
• Fourth: Mars: Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is the outermost of the four small, rocky inner planets.
• Fifth: Jupiter: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. Its orbit lies beyond Mars and inside Saturn’s larger orbit.
• Sixth: Saturn: Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. Its orbit lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Uranus.
• Seventh: Uranus: Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. Its orbit is farther out than Saturn’s and closer than Neptune’s.
• Eighth: Neptune: Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. It has the outermost orbit among the eight recognized planets.
• Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the inner planets. Their orbits are closer to the Sun than the giant planets’ orbits.
• Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the outer planets. They orbit farther from the Sun than the four inner planets.
• Asteroid belt: The main asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter. Many rocky objects orbit the Sun within this broad region.
• Order model: A planet order model shows which planets are nearer or farther from the Sun. It may simplify their actual distances.

What’s included (11 pages)

• 12 color picture-and-word cards
• 12 picture–term–definition cards (4 pages)
• 12 black-and-white picture-and-word cards for low-ink printing or coloring
• 2 picture-labeling worksheets: students write the matching term for each picture (with Name and Class lines)
• Answer key (1 page) for the labeling worksheets

How to use it in class

1. Print the color cards (or the black-and-white set to save ink), cut them apart and laminate them to reuse.
2. Introduce the words with the picture-and-word cards, then use the definition cards to talk about what each term means.
3. Play quick games: show a picture and ask for the term, read a definition and ask which card it matches, or sort the cards into groups.
4. Use the labeling worksheets as an exit ticket, homework or review, and check them with the answer key.
5. Put the cards in a word wall or science center for independent practice.

At a glance

• Grade: 4
• Subject: Science (Planet Order)
• Standard: Virginia SOL 4.5
• Pages: 11
• Format: Printable PDF; instant digital download after purchase