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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes

Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances

Space

CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-1England: KS2 Y5 Earth and space

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances.

  • 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 planets of the solar system

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 planets of the solar system). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What is Pluto classed as today? (a dwarf planet / a star / a moon of Neptune / the ninth planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
  2. Which planet is known as the Red Planet? (Mercury / Jupiter / Venus / Mars) → MarsPrompt: Its surface is covered in iron oxide (rust) dust.
  3. Which planet is the hottest? (Venus / Jupiter / Mars / Mercury) → VenusPrompt: It is not the closest to the Sun, but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances. 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: About how many Earths would fit side by side across the Sun?
  • Step 1: The Sun's diameter is about 109 times Earth's.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: about 109
  • Answer: about 109
  • 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. How does the Moon's size compare with Earth's? (The Moon is bigger than Earth. / The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width. / The Moon is bigger than the Sun. / They are the same size.) → The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.Prompt: About four Moons side by side would cross Earth.
  2. True or false? Earth is bigger than the Moon. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Compare sizes and distances.

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. How does the Moon's size compare with Earth's? (The Moon is bigger than the Sun. / The Moon is bigger than Earth. / They are the same size. / The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.) → The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.Prompt: About four Moons side by side would cross Earth.
  2. True or false? The Sun is much bigger than Earth. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Compare sizes and distances.

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 planets of the solar system.
  • 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-5.

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

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Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Earth is flat.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    What shape are the Sun, Earth and Moon?

    • A. roughly spheres (balls)
    • B. cones
    • C. cubes
    • D. flat discs

  3. Question 3

    In a scale model, Earth is a ball 8 cm wide. The Sun is about 109 times wider than Earth. How wide should the model Sun be?

    Answercm

  4. Question 4

    True or false? The Sun is much bigger than Earth.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    The Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, yet they look about the same size in our sky. Why?

    • A. They really are the same size.
    • B. Our eyes shrink the Sun.
    • C. The Sun is also about 400 times further away.
    • D. The Moon is closer to the Sun.

  6. Question 6

    True or false? The Moon is further from Earth than the Sun is.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Sun, Earth and Moon: shapes, sizes and distances

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. A. roughly spheres (balls)

  3. 3. 872 cm

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. C. The Sun is also about 400 times further away.

  6. 6. B. False