Earth and Space

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Earth and space. The student knows there are recognizable objects and patterns in Earth's solar system.

The further explanation is designed to be a resource for educators that helps them better understand the topic their students are learning. Further explanations may be written at a more complex level than would be expected for students at the grade level.

Diagram of the solar system with the sun on the left. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are labeled as planets. Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris are labeled as Dwarf Planets.
Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solar_System_size_to_scale.svg

Dwarf planets should not be taught at this grade level, but this can be used to explain why Pluto is no longer studied in the planet order. 

Glossary terms and definitions are consistent across kindergarten through high school in the TEKS Guide. The definitions are intended to give educators a common understanding of the terms regardless of what grade level they teach. Glossary definitions are not intended for use with students.

consists of the Sun and a collection of objects of varying sizes and conditions—including planets and their moons—that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them

regular sequences that can be found throughout nature