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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 can't we see stars in the daytime? (The Sun's light is so bright it hides them / Stars only exist at night / Clouds always cover them / The stars go away in the day) → The Sun's light is so bright it hides themPrompt: Stars are still there during the day.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Moon makes its own light. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → The Moon reflects light from the Sun.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  3. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Sun is a star.) → 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 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. When is the Sun highest in the sky? (at sunset / at midnight / around midday / at sunrise) → around middayPrompt: It climbs all morning and sinks all afternoon.
  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.

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. When is the Sun highest in the sky? (at midnight / at sunset / at sunrise / around midday) → around middayPrompt: It climbs all morning and sinks all afternoon.
  2. True or false? The Sun rises in the west. (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

    True or false? The Sun's path across the sky repeats every day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    When is the Sun highest in the sky?

    • A. at sunset
    • B. around midday
    • C. at sunrise
    • D. at midnight

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The Sun rises in the west.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    In which direction does the Sun rise?

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

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

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

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. B. around midday

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. D. east

  5. 5. B. evening, near sunset

  6. 6. A. True