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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes

What we see in the day sky and the night sky

Space

CCSS NGSS.1-ESS1-1England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Seasonal changes

Objective and success criteria

Students will: What we see in the day sky and the night sky.

  • 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. When can you see this in the sky: a blue sky? (only in the day sky / only in the night sky / in the day or night sky) → only in the day skyPrompt: Have you ever seen it on your way to school in the morning?
  2. Why can't we see stars during the day? (Stars are switched off in the day. / The stars go away in the morning. / The Sun is so bright that it hides them. / Clouds always cover them.) → The Sun is so bright that it hides them.Prompt: Can you see a torch (flashlight) in bright sunshine?
  3. True or false? The Moon makes its own light. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about what lights up the sky.

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: What we see in the day sky and the night sky. 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: When can you see this in the sky: the Milky Way?
  • Step 1: In the dark night sky we can see faint lights that the bright day sky hides.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: only in the night sky
  • Answer: only in the night sky
  • 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. When can you see this in the sky: the Sun? (only in the day sky / only in the night sky / in the day or night sky) → only in the day skyPrompt: Have you ever seen it on your way to school in the morning?
  2. Why can you see many more stars in the countryside than in a big city? (The countryside is closer to space. / There are no stars above cities. / City lights make the night sky too bright to see faint stars. / Stars are scared of cars.) → City lights make the night sky too bright to see faint stars.Prompt: What lights up a city at night?

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. True or false? You should never look straight at the Sun. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think about what lights up the sky.
  2. Why can't we see stars during the day? (The stars go away in the morning. / Clouds always cover them. / Stars are switched off in the day. / The Sun is so bright that it hides them.) → The Sun is so bright that it hides them.Prompt: Can you see a torch (flashlight) in bright sunshine?

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

  • 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/kindergarten.

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

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What we see in the day sky and the night sky

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? You should never look straight at the Sun.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Sometimes you can see the Moon in the morning. Is this unusual?

    • A. No, the Moon can often be seen in the day.
    • B. Yes, the Moon only exists at night.
    • C. Yes, it means it will snow.
    • D. No, it is really the Sun.

  3. Question 3

    When can you see this in the sky: aeroplanes (airplanes)?

    • A. only in the day sky
    • B. only in the night sky
    • C. in the day or night sky

  4. Question 4

    True or false? The Sun is a star.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Why can you see many more stars in the countryside than in a big city?

    • A. There are no stars above cities.
    • B. Stars are scared of cars.
    • C. The countryside is closer to space.
    • D. City lights make the night sky too bright to see faint stars.

  6. Question 6

    When can you see this in the sky: a blue sky?

    • A. only in the day sky
    • B. only in the night sky
    • C. in the day or night sky

  7. Question 7

    True or false? You can only see the Moon at night.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    Why can't we see stars during the day?

    • A. The Sun is so bright that it hides them.
    • B. Stars are switched off in the day.
    • C. The stars go away in the morning.
    • D. Clouds always cover them.

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Answer key: What we see in the day sky and the night sky

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. A. No, the Moon can often be seen in the day.

  3. 3. C. in the day or night sky

  4. 4. A. True

  5. 5. D. City lights make the night sky too bright to see faint stars.

  6. 6. A. only in the day sky

  7. 7. B. False

  8. 8. A. The Sun is so bright that it hides them.