• 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 "first quarter"? (new moon / full moon / last quarter) → full moonPrompt: Is the lit part getting bigger or smaller at this stage?
2. About how long is the cycle of Moon phases? (about 29.5 days / 7 days / 24 hours / 365 days) → about 29.5 daysPrompt: It is roughly a month.
3. Among the phases of the Moon, starting from new moon, which comes straight after "waxing gibbous"? (full moon / new moon / waxing crescent / waning crescent) → full moonPrompt: "Waxing" means the lit part is growing.

• Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
• Share the objective: Solar and lunar eclipses. Read the success criteria together.

• 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.

• 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 sky goes dark during the day? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → solar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?
2. How can the small Moon cover the huge Sun in a total solar eclipse? (The Sun is about 400 times bigger but also about 400 times further away / The Sun shrinks during eclipses / The Moon is bigger than the Sun / It is an illusion caused by clouds) → The Sun is about 400 times bigger but also about 400 times further awayPrompt: Hold a coin close to your eye and look at a distant building.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Eclipses: which statement is NOT true? (Sunglasses make it safe to stare at a solar eclipse. / A solar eclipse happens at new moon. / During a total solar eclipse, the sky becomes dark enough to see some stars. / A lunar eclipse happens at full moon.) → Sunglasses make it safe to stare at a solar eclipse.Prompt: What blocks the Sun in a solar eclipse?
2. Which type of eclipse is this: the Moon can look red or coppery? (solar eclipse / lunar eclipse) → lunar eclipsePrompt: Which object is in the middle: the Moon or the Earth?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.