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

The Sun's path across the sky in a day

Space

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The Sun's path across the sky in a day.

  • 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: Shadow length and direction through the 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 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 the biggest star in the universe / It is a different kind of light / It is much closer to us / 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? (The Sun goes round the Earth. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / You can only see the Moon at night. / 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? (The Sun is a star. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → You can only see the Moon at night.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's path across the sky in a day. 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 Sun seem to move across the sky?
  • Step 1: Earth spins once a day, so the Sun appears to rise, cross the sky and set.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Earth is spinning.
  • Answer: Earth is spinning.
  • 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. Leila sees the Sun low in the west. What time of day is it? (early morning / evening, near sunset / midnight / midday) → evening, near sunsetPrompt: Where does the Sun set?
  2. True or false? Shadows move during the day because the Sun's position changes. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Remember: up in the east, down in the west.

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. Leila sees the Sun low in the west. What time of day is it? (midday / evening, near sunset / early morning / midnight) → evening, near sunsetPrompt: Where does the Sun set?
  2. True or false? The Sun is highest in the sky at sunset. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Remember: up in the east, down in the west.

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: Shadow length and direction through the 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

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The Sun's path across the sky in a day

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Why does the Sun seem to move across the sky?

    • A. The Sun walks around us.
    • B. Clouds push the Sun.
    • C. Earth is spinning.
    • D. The Sun is falling.

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Shadows move during the day because the Sun's position changes.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Leila sees the Sun low in the west. What time of day is it?

    • A. evening, near sunset
    • B. early morning
    • C. midnight
    • D. midday

  4. Question 4

    True or false? The Sun rises in the west.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    In which direction does the Sun rise?

    • A. a different direction every day
    • B. straight up from the ground at midday
    • C. west
    • D. east

  6. Question 6

    True or false? The Sun really travels around the Earth every day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: The Sun's path across the sky in a day

  1. 1. C. Earth is spinning.

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. A. evening, near sunset

  4. 4. B. False

  5. 5. D. east

  6. 6. B. False