The Planets

Lyrics

CHORUS
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
Inner-planet swagger and I shine so far
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
All my planets love me ‘cause I’m their biggest star

VERSE I
I'm burning so bright I get a rise out of mercury
Planet number one and I call that thing Mercury
Super-small rock and the atmosphere is no
And it's spinning super-slow and I heat it with my glow

I'm way beyond the B-list, my second fan is Venus
Opaque planet orbiting, so hot you gotta feel this
trapping all my heat in its super-dense atmosphere
Acid clouds raining down, earth people get out of here

Third planet out and I call that Earth
If you see me in the sky then you call that yours
Just right for the oceans, trees, and the birds
You won't get froze and you won't get burnt

On to the fourth, still see me shining
Next one's Mars, just like red diamonds
I say get a life, cause there's nothing thriving
Dirt and ice as it circles around me

Got those first four planets, those are the terrestrials
And I keep shining, 'cause I am a professional
I'm a star, VIP, yes sir I am the brightest thing
Gravitas, gravity, no privacy, they follow me

CHORUS
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
Inner-planet swagger and I shine so far
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
All my planets love me ‘cause I'm their biggest star

VERSE II
Spitting so much fire that I reach the outer limits, man
I call them gas giants, though they're far they are my biggest fans
Giant red and white ball, Jupiter is number five
That's my fan club 'cause it's got more mass, than two and a half times
the other planets combined

Number six is Saturn, like my hands it's got rings
I attract it with my gravity and shine like bling
and it's spinning all around me like i got it on a string
I make all eight planets do the same ol’ thing

Center of attention, the sun is so famous
Planet number seven, I call that one Uranus
super icy light blue, ammonia, methane
And it's cold like brr and it's got a funny name

Eighth, Neptune is far away, and its orbit's long but it follows me
And it looks deep blue and it's so icy but my light still reaches and
gives it heat
Got four rock planets, four gas giants orbit around me while I'm shining
They can't get enough of me 'cause I'm so bright I'm almost blinding

Chorus
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
Inner-planet swagger in my solar-powered car
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
All my planets love me ‘cause I'm their biggest star

(Spoken Bridge)
After four and a half billion years, I got eight big reasons to keep burning bright, but I’ve got to thank the little people.
To all you planetesimals and protoplanets fighting violence and collision, grab an orbit, keep growing big. I think you’re gonna make it baby, you’re
gonna be a planet.

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Description

This song for teaching the planets introduces basic information about the eight planets in our solar system. This song’s educational lyrics contain solar system facts including physical characteristics, relationship to the Sun, and unique details of each planet, including planet Earth. This song for teaching the planetary system portrays the Sun as the principal speaker who describes the surrounding planets. The accompanying classroom materials include puzzles, printable solar system worksheets, diagrams, activities, and online resources that enhance the song and offer additional opportunities for learning.

The song is an excellent introduction to the planets and solar system for elementary school students (grade 4, grade 5), middle school students (grade 6, grade 7, grade 8), and high school students.

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Related Reading and Activities

RESOURCES AND LESSON PLANS
Solar System
"Solar System 101" video is an excellent introduction to the study of the planets. Has interesting info about the Earth’s moon as well.
Grades 4 and up

NASA.Planets
NASA’s comprehensive overview of the planets. "Solar System Scoreboard" allows students to compare planets in terms of size, composition, year of discovery, etc.
Grade 7 and up

Kids Astronomy
This "space dictionary" covers essential space terms in user-friendly language. Some unfamiliar terms, but useful vocabulary enrichment!
Grades 4-8

Discovery Education
A good glossary, particularly for younger students. Presents key terms in clear language.
Grades 3-6

National Geographic
A comprehensive and well-laid out overview of space with a link to specific information. Excellent visuals and diagrams, well-done photographs, and links to other relevant topics.
Grades 3-8

Astromony
This site has some excellent introductory information on each of the planets, observing from urban skies, and an introduction to the sky and astronomy myths.
Grades 4-9

Morehead Planetarium
An excellent resource for students of all ages; includes recommendations of relevant books, and links to websites, key vocabulary.
High Quality lesson links for teachers.

Space Photos
Excellent photographs of the planets, their satellites, and our solar system; an incredible catalogue.
Excellent for all ages

Protoplanets, Planetesimals
Universe Today is excellent for information about protoplanets and planetesimals. Some advertising.
Grades 6-10

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
NASA/Kids
Puzzles and factoids abound! Another great NASA resource.
Grades 3-8

NASA/Kids.Solar System
This excellent site produced by NASA includes additional links to other kid-oriented NASA websites. Games for younger children and more advanced sites for older students.
Grades 3-10

NASA/StarChild Game
A ‘relative’ of the NASA sites, this site is devoted to games. A fun site for younger students.
Grades 3-5

Windows Universe (NESTA)
This National Earth Science Teachers Association site has good games for older students.
Grades 6-9

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State Standards

State standards listed here are representative of school standards across the United States.

TEXAS- GENERAL SKILL LEVEL through middle school

(D) Earth and space. The focus of this strand is on introducing Earth's processes. Students should develop an understanding of Earth as part of our solar system. The topics include organization of our solar system, the role of gravity, and space exploration. Grade 6
(13) Science concepts. Know components of our solar system. The student is expected to:

(A) identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including the Sun, planets, meteorites, comets, asteroids and moons;

(11) Earth and space. The student understands the organization of our solar system and the relationships among the various bodies that comprise it. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planets, Galilean moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets;

CALIFORNIA

Grade 5
The solar system consists of planets and other bodies that orbit the Sun in predictable paths. As a basis to understand this concept:

a. Students know the Sun, is the central and largest body in the solar system and is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium.
b. Students know the solar system includes the planet earth, the Moon, the Sun, other planets and their satellites, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets.
c. Students know the path of a planet around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction between the Sun and the planet.

Grade 8
The structure and composition of the universe can be learned from studying stars and galaxies and their evolution. As a basis for understanding this concept:

e. Students know the appearance, general composition, relative position and size, and motion of objects in the solar system, including planets, planetary satellites, comets, and asteroids.

FLORIDA

Grades 6-8
4. Compare the sun as a star to other members of the solar system with respect to gravity, motion, mass,energy and nuclear reaction.

SC.C.2.3.1 know that many forces (e.g., gravitational, electrical, and magnetic) act at a distance (i.e., without contact).
SC.E.1.3.1 understand the vast size of our Solar System and the relationship of the planets and their satellites.

MASSACHUSETTS

Grades 3-5
13. Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the “solar system” that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons. The earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
Grades 6-8
8. Recognize that gravity is a force that pulls all things on and near the earth toward the center of the earth. Gravity plays a major role in the formation of the planets, stars, and solar system and in determining their motions.

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