Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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.
- What is the Sun? (a comet / a planet / a star / a moon) → a starPrompt: It makes its own light, like the stars at night.
- Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / The Moon makes its own light.) → Stars are still in the sky during the day.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
- Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Sun goes round the Earth. / The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day. / The Sun is a star. / Stars are still in the sky during the day.) → The Sun goes round the Earth.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?
Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- When is the Sun highest in the sky? (around midday / at midnight / at sunset / at sunrise) → around middayPrompt: It climbs all morning and sinks all afternoon.
- True or false? The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Remember: up in the east, down in the west.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- True or false? The Sun's path across the sky repeats every day. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Remember: up in the east, down in the west.
- When is the Sun highest in the sky? (around midday / at midnight / at sunrise / at sunset) → around middayPrompt: It climbs all morning and sinks all afternoon.
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