SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · FRENCH CM1 · CM2 · 6E
The Solar System in French Cycle 3
A free progression to observe, model and explain. This page connects the 3D experience, activities and printable worksheets to French curriculum objectives. It can be adapted elsewhere and does not replace hands-on classroom work.
LEARNING PROGRESSION
What students develop across the cycle
The new French curriculum progresses from observing light phenomena to modelling Earth's movements. The wording below summarises official objectives without replacing them.
| Level | Scientific question | Learning objective | Using Solar Atlas |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM1 (France, ages 9–10) | Observe the Moon and light | Observe, draw and name the Moon's phases; relate a shadow to the positions of the light source and object. | Use the Moon, Earth and Sun fact sheets to distinguish a light source, an illuminated body and a satellite. |
| CM2 (France, ages 10–11) | Locate Earth in the Solar System | Describe Earth's motion relative to the Sun, locate it among the planets and compare relative distances and sizes. | Compare Artistic, Size and Distance modes, then build the Sun-to-Pluto line. |
| 6e (France, ages 11–12) | Explain Earth's movements | Link day and night to rotation, the year to orbital revolution and seasons to Earth's axial tilt. | Observe the periods, use a ball and lamp, then compare the physical model with the digital one. |
SUGGESTED PLAN · THREE 45-MINUTE LESSONS
Observe, measure, then explain
What orbits what?
Collect initial ideas, classify stars, planets and satellites, put the eight planets in order and locate the asteroid belt.
OPEN THE 3D EXPERIENCE →Can everything be drawn to scale?
Compare diameters, build the Sun-to-Pluto line and distinguish an artistic representation from a proportional model.
CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY →Day, year and seasons
Use a ball and lamp, distinguish rotation from orbital revolution, then explain an observation using a model and scientific vocabulary.
CHECK LEARNING →SCIENTIFIC VOCABULARY
Nine terms to use correctly
Celestial body
A natural object in the Universe.
Star
A celestial body that produces energy and emits its own light.
Planet
In the Solar System, a nearly spherical body that orbits the Sun and dominates its orbital neighbourhood.
Satellite
A body orbiting another, such as the Moon around Earth.
Orbit
The path followed by an object under the influence of gravity.
Rotation
A body's motion around its own axis.
Orbital revolution
One complete orbit around another celestial body.
Astronomical unit
Approximately the average Earth–Sun distance, about 149.6 million kilometres.
Scale
The ratio between a represented measurement and its real value.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Six useful mistakes to get the class thinking
“The Sun is a planet.”
The Sun is a star: it produces its own energy through nuclear fusion.
“Seasons are caused by distance from the Sun.”
They are mainly caused by Earth's axial tilt as it orbits the Sun.
“The Moon's phases are Earth's shadow.”
They are the different portions of the Moon's illuminated half visible from Earth.
“The planets are close together.”
Artistic representations nearly always compress distances to remain readable.
“An orbit is a perfect circle.”
Orbits are elliptical; the distance between a body and the Sun varies.
“Pluto has disappeared.”
Pluto still exists: since 2006, it has been classified as a dwarf planet.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Observable success criteria
- The student orders the eight planets from the Sun.
- The student distinguishes a star, planet and satellite using a criterion.
- The student explains the difference between rotation and orbital revolution.
- The student knows that a year corresponds to one Earth orbit around the Sun.
- The student identifies limitations in a representation that enlarges bodies or compresses distances.
- The student uses a cited source to check information.
TEACHER AND STUDENT QUESTIONS
Quick answers
What is the order of the eight planets?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, starting from the Sun.
What is the difference between rotation and orbit?
Rotation is a body's spin around its own axis. Orbital revolution is its journey around another body.
Why are several scales needed?
If distances and diameters used the same scale simultaneously, the planets would be almost invisible. Every model must therefore explain what it represents.
Does the site replace hands-on classroom work?
No. The 3D experience supports observation and comparison; models using a ball, lamp or string remain important for developing reasoning.
Are the resources free to use?
Yes. The site, quiz and PDFs offered by Solar Atlas are available without a student account.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES
Check the educational framework
- French official bulletin No. 24 of 11 June 2026 — Science and technology curricula
- Official annex — French Cycle 3 science and technology curriculum
- Éduscol — French Cycle 3 support resources and implementation schedule
- Éduscol — Astronomy in the classroom
- 2023 curriculum remaining in effect for French CM2 and 6e during 2026–2027
References last checked in the original edition: 31 August 2026. Solar Atlas is an independent resource, neither published nor approved by the French Ministry of Education.