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

Stars: when we see them and what they are

Space

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Stars: when we see them and what they are.

  • 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: Why we see different stars in different seasons

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 a different kind of light / It is much closer to us / Other stars are not real / It is the biggest star in the universe) → 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. / You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon makes its own light.) → 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? (Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Sun appears to move across 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: Stars: when we see them and what they are. 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 are stars?
  • Step 1: Stars are giant balls of hot gas that give out their own light.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away
  • Answer: huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away
  • 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. What are stars? (pieces of the Moon / small lights hanging from the sky / holes in the sky / huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away) → huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far awayPrompt: The Sun is one of them.
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night. / The Moon is a star. / Groups of stars that make patterns are called constellations. / Stars are small and close to Earth.) → Groups of stars that make patterns are called constellations.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.

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? There are more stars than anyone could count. (True / False) → TruePrompt: What hides stars, and how far away are they?
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night. / Stars are small and close to Earth. / 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.

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

  • Move on to: Why we see different stars in different seasons.
  • 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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Stars: when we see them and what they are

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Why do stars look tiny even though many are bigger than the Sun?

    • A. Our eyes are too small.
    • B. They are extremely far away.
    • C. They shrink at night.
    • D. They are made of glitter.

  2. Question 2

    Stars: which statement is true?

    • A. Stars give out their own light.
    • B. Stars are small and close to Earth.
    • C. The Moon is a star.
    • D. Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? There are more stars than anyone could count.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why did people long ago use star patterns to find their way?

    • A. Stars point at the nearest town.
    • B. The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.
    • C. Stars talk to sailors.
    • D. Stars only appear above roads.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? You can see more stars on a dark night away from city lights.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    Which star is closest to Earth?

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

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Answer key: Stars: when we see them and what they are

  1. 1. B. They are extremely far away.

  2. 2. A. Stars give out their own light.

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. B. The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.

  5. 5. A. True

  6. 6. A. the Sun