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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. / The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places. / Stars only appear above roads. / Stars point at the nearest town.) → 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 are small and close to Earth. / Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night. / Stars give out their own light. / The Moon is a star.) → Stars give out their own light.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.
  3. True or false? The stars are closer to us than the Moon. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: 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. In the Northern Hemisphere one star seems to stay still while others circle around it. Which star is it? (Polaris, the North Star / the Sun / the Moon / Mars) → Polaris, the North StarPrompt: It sits almost straight above Earth's North Pole.
  2. True or false? You can see every constellation on any night of the year. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: 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? Stars appear to move across the night sky because Earth spins. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Earth spins (daily) and orbits (yearly). Which explains what?
  2. What causes this pattern: we see different constellations in winter and summer? (Earth orbiting the Sun once a year / the Moon orbiting Earth / Earth spinning on its axis once a day) → Earth orbiting the Sun once a yearPrompt: Daily patterns come from spinning; yearly patterns from orbiting.

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

    True or false? Stars really move around Earth every night.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Why can we see different constellations in winter and summer?

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

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    True or false? The constellations you see at night change through the year.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    In the Northern Hemisphere one star seems to stay still while others circle around it. Which star is it?

    • A. the Sun
    • B. Polaris, the North Star
    • C. the Moon
    • D. Mars

  6. Question 6

    What causes this pattern: we see different constellations in winter and summer?

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

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Answer key: Why we see different stars in different seasons

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. B. As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.

  3. 3. A. the Moon orbiting Earth

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. B. Polaris, the North Star

  6. 6. A. Earth orbiting the Sun once a year