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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes

Why we see different stars in different seasons

Space

CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-2England: KS2 Y5 Earth and space

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Why we see different stars in different seasons.

  • 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: Stars: when we see them and what they are

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 (Stars: when we see them and what they are). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Why did people long ago use star patterns to find their way? (Stars talk to sailors. / Stars point at the nearest town. / Stars only appear above roads. / The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.) → The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.Prompt: Do star patterns change shape from night to night?
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night. / Stars are small and close to Earth. / The Moon is a star. / Stars are still there in the daytime.) → Stars are still there in the daytime.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.
  3. True or false? You can see more stars on a dark night away from city lights. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What hides stars, and how far away are they?

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: Why we see different stars in different seasons. 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 can we see different constellations in winter and summer?
  • Step 1: Earth's orbit changes which stars are in the night sky through the year.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.
  • Answer: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.
  • 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 we see different constellations in winter and summer? (The stars move to new places every season. / Some stars switch off in summer. / Clouds hide half the stars each season. / As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.) → As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.Prompt: At night we look away from the Sun. Where does "away" point in June and in December?
  2. True or false? The same constellations return at the same time each year. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Earth spins (daily) and orbits (yearly). Which explains what?

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? Constellations change shape every night. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Earth spins (daily) and orbits (yearly). Which explains what?
  2. In the Northern Hemisphere one star seems to stay still while others circle around it. Which star is it? (Polaris, the North Star / the Moon / the Sun / Mars) → Polaris, the North StarPrompt: It sits almost straight above Earth's North Pole.

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: Stars: when we see them and what they are.
  • 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-5.

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

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Why we see different stars in different seasons

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Over one night, the stars seem to move across the sky from east to west. Why?

    • A. The wind blows them.
    • B. The Moon pulls them.
    • C. Earth is spinning.
    • D. The stars are falling.

  2. Question 2

    What causes this pattern: the Moon's shape changes over a month?

    • A. the Moon orbiting Earth
    • B. Earth orbiting the Sun once a year
    • C. Earth spinning on its axis once a day

  3. Question 3

    True or false? You can see every constellation on any night of the year.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why can we see different constellations in winter and summer?

    • A. Some stars switch off in summer.
    • B. Clouds hide half the stars each season.
    • C. As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.
    • D. The stars move to new places every season.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? The same constellations return at the same time each year.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    Orion is easy to see on winter evenings in Europe, but not on summer evenings. Has Orion moved?

    • A. No, it is destroyed every summer.
    • B. Yes, it flies south for the summer.
    • C. Yes, it shrinks in summer.
    • D. No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.

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Answer key: Why we see different stars in different seasons

  1. 1. C. Earth is spinning.

  2. 2. A. the Moon orbiting Earth

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. C. As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.

  5. 5. A. True

  6. 6. D. No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.