Solar system project rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8
This solar system project rubric scores a model, poster or report on the solar system: the planets in order, accurate facts about each, size and distance, how the planets move, and the labels. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points, with facts counting twice; K–2 uses three levels in plain words a young child can follow, with no points. Print it, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.
Solar system project rubric, grades K–2
3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).
| Criteria | Wow! | Yes | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| In order | All eight planets are in order from the Sun. | Most planets are in order. | My planets are not in order yet. |
| Big and small | My big planets are big and my small planets are small. | Some of my planets are the right size. | All my planets are the same size. |
| Labels | The Sun and every planet have a label. | Some planets have labels. | My planets have no labels yet. |
| A fact | I tell two or more true facts. | I tell one true fact. | I do not tell a fact yet. |
- I can put the planets in order from the Sun.
- I can make big planets big and small planets small.
- I can label the Sun and the planets.
- I can tell a true fact about a planet.
Solar system project rubric, grades 3–5
4 levels, 4 criteria, 20 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order and labels | The Sun and all eight planets in order and labeled, plus the asteroid belt and a dwarf planet. | The Sun and all eight planets in order and labeled. | One or two planets out of order or unlabeled. | Several missing, out of order or unlabeled. | / 4 |
| Factscounts ×2 | Two or more accurate facts per planet, such as size, temperature, moons or what it is made of. | One accurate fact per planet. | Facts missing for some planets, or some are wrong. | Few facts, or most are wrong. | / 8 |
| Size and distance | Sizes and spacing in the right order, with a note on what is not to scale and why. | Sizes in the right order. | Sizes or distances are mostly wrong. | No attention to size or distance. | / 4 |
| Movement | Explains orbits and rotation, and that gravity keeps planets in orbit. | Explains that planets orbit the Sun and spin. | Explanation is partly wrong. | Not explained. | / 4 |
- I can show the Sun and eight planets in order with labels.
- I can share accurate facts about each planet.
- I can show which planets are bigger and farther and say where my model is not to scale.
- I can explain how planets move around the Sun.
Solar system project rubric, grades 6–8
4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracycounts ×2 | Accurate, sourced data per planet (diameter, distance, orbit length, composition) in a comparison table. | Accurate data on each planet from credible sources. | Some data missing, inaccurate or unsourced. | Mostly inaccurate. | / 8 |
| Scale | Calculates a scale for size or distance, shows the math, and explains why one model cannot show both. | Uses a stated scale for size or distance. | Scale is attempted with errors. | No scale is used. | / 4 |
| Gravity and motion | Explains how gravity and motion produce orbits, and why outer planets take longer to orbit. | Explains that gravity keeps planets in orbit. | Explanation of gravity is vague or partly wrong. | Not addressed. | / 4 |
| Patterns | Compares inner rocky and outer gas and ice planets with data and offers a reason for the pattern. | Compares inner and outer planets with examples. | Lists differences without a pattern. | Not addressed. | / 4 |
| Presentation | Clear and well labeled, with a key, a title and sources cited. | Labeled, with sources listed. | Labels or sources incomplete. | Unlabeled or unfinished. | / 4 |
- I can present accurate data on each planet from credible sources.
- I can calculate a scale and explain its limits.
- I can explain how gravity governs orbits in the solar system.
- I can compare inner and outer planets and explain the pattern.
- I can present my project clearly with labels and citations.
When to use it
- A solar system model, hanging or flat, built at home or in class.
- A planet report or poster, where each student takes one planet.
- As a checklist handed out with the project so families know what counts.
What to say to students
- Put the planets in order from the Sun.
- Make big planets bigger than small ones, and tell us where your sizes are not to scale.
- Every planet needs a label and at least one true fact.
- Be ready to explain what keeps the planets moving around the Sun.
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The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.