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

The Moon's changing shape follows a pattern

Space

CCSS NGSS.1-ESS1-1England: KS2 Y5 Earth and space

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The Moon's changing shape follows a pattern.

  • 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: The Sun, Moon and stars

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 from earlier learning (The Sun, Moon and stars). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Why does the Sun look bigger and brighter than other stars? (It is much closer to us / It is the biggest star in the universe / It is a different kind of light / Other stars are not real) → It is much closer to usPrompt: Things far away look smaller and dimmer.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon makes its own light. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → Stars are still in the sky during the day.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  3. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Sun is a star. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun.) → 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 Moon's changing shape follows a pattern. 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: Why does the Moon shine?
  • Step 1: The Moon reflects light from the Sun.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Sunlight bounces off it.
  • Answer: Sunlight bounces off it.
  • 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. Tonight the Moon is full. In about two weeks, what will you see? (a new moon, which is hard to see / another full moon / a square moon / two moons) → a new moon, which is hard to seePrompt: A full cycle takes about a month. Two weeks is half of that.
  2. True or false? You can sometimes see the Moon during the day. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Is the Moon a light source? How long is its pattern?

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. True or false? The Moon travels around the Earth. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Is the Moon a light source? How long is its pattern?
  2. About how long does it take the Moon to go from full moon to the next full moon? (one week / about a month / one day / one year) → about a monthPrompt: The word "month" comes from "moon".

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

  • Review first: The Sun, Moon and stars.
  • 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

  • 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

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The Moon's changing shape follows a pattern

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    About how long does it take the Moon to go from full moon to the next full moon?

    • A. one week
    • B. about a month
    • C. one year
    • D. one day

  2. Question 2

    True or false? The Moon travels around the Earth.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Why does the Moon seem to change shape?

    • A. We see different amounts of its sunlit side as it travels around Earth.
    • B. Clouds cover parts of it every night.
    • C. The Moon is shrinking for ever.
    • D. Bits of the Moon break off and grow back.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? A full moon happens every night.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Tonight the Moon is full. In about two weeks, what will you see?

    • A. a new moon, which is hard to see
    • B. another full moon
    • C. a square moon
    • D. two moons

  6. Question 6

    True or false? The Moon makes its own light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: The Moon's changing shape follows a pattern

  1. 1. B. about a month

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. A. We see different amounts of its sunlit side as it travels around Earth.

  4. 4. B. False

  5. 5. A. a new moon, which is hard to see

  6. 6. B. False