Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min
Questions🔀 New questions

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes

The Sun, Moon and stars

Space

CCSS NGSS.1-ESS1-1CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-1England: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changesEngland: KS2 Y5 Earth and space

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The Sun, Moon and stars.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: The planets of the solar system; Day and night; The Sun's path across the sky in a day

Materials: Torch and ball for a Sun-Earth-Moon model, Space images, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. In which direction does the Sun rise? (it does not rise / in the west / in the east / in the north) → in the eastPrompt: It sets in the opposite direction.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → The Moon reflects light from the Sun.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  3. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day.) → The Sun goes round the Earth.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: The Sun, Moon and stars. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What is the Sun?
  • Step 1: The Sun is a star, the closest one to Earth.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: a star
  • Answer: a star
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Why can't we see stars in the daytime? (The Sun's light is so bright it hides them / The stars go away in the day / Clouds always cover them / Stars only exist at night) → The Sun's light is so bright it hides themPrompt: Stars are still there during the day.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Moon makes its own light. / You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun.) → The Moon reflects light from the Sun.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun is a star.) → The Sun is a star.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Sun is a star. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / The Sun goes round the Earth.) → The Sun goes round the Earth.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Use concrete materials: torch and ball for a sun-earth-moon model.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: The planets of the solar system; Day and night; The Sun's path across the sky in a day.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

The Sun, Moon and stars

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true?

    • A. You can only see the Moon at night.
    • B. The Sun goes round the Earth.
    • C. The Moon makes its own light.
    • D. The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day.

  2. Question 2

    Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The Sun goes round the Earth.
    • B. The Moon reflects light from the Sun.
    • C. Stars are still in the sky during the day.
    • D. The Sun is a star.

  3. Question 3

    In which direction does the Sun rise?

    • A. in the west
    • B. in the north
    • C. in the east
    • D. it does not rise

  4. Question 4

    Why does the Sun look bigger and brighter than other stars?

    • A. It is much closer to us
    • B. It is a different kind of light
    • C. It is the biggest star in the universe
    • D. Other stars are not real

  5. Question 5

    What is the Sun?

    • A. a planet
    • B. a comet
    • C. a star
    • D. a moon

  6. Question 6

    Why can't we see stars in the daytime?

    • A. Clouds always cover them
    • B. Stars only exist at night
    • C. The Sun's light is so bright it hides them
    • D. The stars go away in the day

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: The Sun, Moon and stars

  1. 1. D. The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day.

  2. 2. A. The Sun goes round the Earth.

  3. 3. C. in the east

  4. 4. A. It is much closer to us

  5. 5. C. a star

  6. 6. C. The Sun's light is so bright it hides them