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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 "full moon"? (first quarter / last quarter / new moon) → last quarterPrompt: Is the lit part getting bigger or smaller at this stage?
  2. Why do we always see the same side of the Moon? (The other side is always dark / It spins once in the same time it takes to orbit Earth / Earth blocks the other side / It does not spin at all) → It spins once in the same time it takes to orbit EarthPrompt: The far side is not always dark.
  3. Among the phases of the Moon, starting from new moon, which comes straight after "waxing gibbous"? (waning crescent / first quarter / full moon / waxing crescent) → full moonPrompt: "Waxing" means the lit part is growing.

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 Moon is between the Sun and the Earth? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → solar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?
  2. Why is it never safe to look directly at a solar eclipse? (The Sun's light can damage your eyes even when partly covered / It is too dark to see / It makes you dizzy / The Moon is radioactive) → The Sun's light can damage your eyes even when partly coveredPrompt: Special eclipse glasses or a pinhole viewer are needed.

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. 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 / The Moon stops in some months / Eclipses only happen in summer / 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.
  2. Which type of eclipse is this: the sky goes dark during the day? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → solar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?

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

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

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

  2. Question 2

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

    • A. solar eclipse
    • B. lunar eclipse

  3. Question 3

    Eclipses: which statement is NOT true?

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

  4. Question 4

    Which type of eclipse is this: the sky goes dark during the day?

    • A. solar eclipse
    • B. lunar eclipse

  5. Question 5

    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. It is an illusion caused by clouds
    • D. The Moon is bigger than the Sun

  6. Question 6

    Why isn't there a solar eclipse every month?

    • A. The Moon stops in some months
    • B. The Sun is too small
    • C. The Moon's orbit is tilted, so it usually passes above or below the Sun's line
    • D. Eclipses only happen in summer

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Answer key: Solar and lunar eclipses

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

  2. 2. B. lunar eclipse

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

  4. 4. A. solar eclipse

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

  6. 6. C. The Moon's orbit is tilted, so it usually passes above or below the Sun's line