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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. Which is the largest planet in our solar system? (Saturn / Earth / Jupiter / Neptune) → JupiterPrompt: It is a gas giant with a Great Red Spot.
  2. What is Pluto classed as today? (a star / the ninth planet / a moon of Neptune / a dwarf planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
  3. Which planets are the rocky (terrestrial) planets? (all eight / Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune / Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars / Earth and Pluto) → Mercury, Venus, Earth and MarsPrompt: They are the four closest to the Sun.

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 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.
  1. What shape are the Sun, Earth and Moon? (flat discs / cones / cubes / roughly spheres (balls)) → roughly spheres (balls)Prompt: Photos from space show it clearly.
  2. True or false? The Moon is further from Earth than the Sun is. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Compare sizes and distances.

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.
  1. How does the Moon's size compare with Earth's? (The Moon is bigger than the Sun. / They are the same size. / The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width. / The Moon is bigger than Earth.) → The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.Prompt: About four Moons side by side would cross Earth.
  2. In a scale model, Earth is a ball 8 cm wide. The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width. How wide should the model Moon be? → 2 cmPrompt: Divide 8 by 4.

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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? The Moon is bigger than the Sun because it looks the same size.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    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

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    In a scale model, Earth is a ball 4 cm wide. The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width. How wide should the model Moon be?

    Answercm

  6. Question 6

    In a scale model, Earth is a ball 6 cm wide. The Sun is about 109 times wider than Earth. How wide should the model Sun be?

    Answercm

  7. Question 7

    How does the Moon's size compare with Earth's?

    • A. The Moon is bigger than the Sun.
    • B. The Moon is bigger than Earth.
    • C. The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.
    • D. They are the same size.

  8. Question 8

    True or false? Earth is bigger than the Moon.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. 872 cm

  3. 3. D. The Sun is also about 400 times further away.

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. 1 cm

  6. 6. 654 cm

  7. 7. C. The Moon is about a quarter of Earth's width.

  8. 8. A. True