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Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes

Solar and lunar eclipses

Space

CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS1-1England: KS3 Physics: Space physics

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Solar and lunar eclipses.

  • 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 Moon and its phases

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 (The Moon and its phases). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Among the main phases of the Moon, which comes straight after "new moon"? (full moon / last quarter / first quarter) → first quarterPrompt: Is the lit part getting bigger or smaller at this stage?
  2. Why do we always see the same side of the Moon? (Earth blocks the other side / It does not spin at all / It spins once in the same time it takes to orbit Earth / The other side is always dark) → It spins once in the same time it takes to orbit EarthPrompt: The far side is not always dark.
  3. Among the main phases of the Moon, which comes straight after "full moon"? (new moon / last quarter / first quarter) → last quarterPrompt: Is the lit part getting bigger or smaller at this stage?

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: Solar and lunar eclipses. 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: Which type of eclipse is this: the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon?
  • Step 1: In a lunar eclipse the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, and Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: lunar eclipse
  • Answer: lunar eclipse
  • 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. Which type of eclipse is this: the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → lunar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?
  2. What is the arrangement during a lunar eclipse? (Sun – Earth – Moon / Moon – Sun – Earth / Earth – Sun – Moon / Sun – Moon – Earth) → Sun – Earth – MoonPrompt: Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.

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. Which type of eclipse is this: it can only happen at full moon? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → lunar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?
  2. Why isn't there a solar eclipse every month? (The Moon's orbit is tilted, so it usually passes above or below the Sun's line / Eclipses only happen in summer / The Moon stops in some months / The Sun is too small) → The Moon's orbit is tilted, so it usually passes above or below the Sun's linePrompt: The Sun, Moon and Earth must line up exactly.

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 Moon and its phases.
  • 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-7.

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

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Solar and lunar eclipses

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    How can the small Moon cover the huge Sun in a total solar eclipse?

    • A. The Sun shrinks during eclipses
    • B. The Sun is about 400 times bigger but also about 400 times further away
    • C. The Moon is bigger than the Sun
    • D. It is an illusion caused by clouds

  2. Question 2

    Which type of eclipse is this: the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon?

    • A. solar eclipse
    • B. lunar eclipse

  3. Question 3

    Eclipses: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A solar eclipse happens at new moon.
    • B. In a solar eclipse the Earth's shadow covers the Sun.
    • C. A lunar eclipse happens at full moon.
    • D. A lunar eclipse is safe to look at with your eyes.

  4. Question 4

    What is the arrangement during a lunar eclipse?

    • A. Earth – Sun – Moon
    • B. Sun – Earth – Moon
    • C. Moon – Sun – Earth
    • D. Sun – Moon – Earth

  5. Question 5

    Which type of eclipse is this: the Moon can look red or coppery?

    • A. solar eclipse
    • B. lunar eclipse

  6. Question 6

    Why is it never safe to look directly at a solar eclipse?

    • A. The Moon is radioactive
    • B. It is too dark to see
    • C. The Sun's light can damage your eyes even when partly covered
    • D. It makes you dizzy

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Answer key: Solar and lunar eclipses

  1. 1. B. The Sun is about 400 times bigger but also about 400 times further away

  2. 2. B. lunar eclipse

  3. 3. B. In a solar eclipse the Earth's shadow covers the Sun.

  4. 4. B. Sun – Earth – Moon

  5. 5. B. lunar eclipse

  6. 6. C. The Sun's light can damage your eyes even when partly covered