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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes

Why we see different stars in different seasons

Space

CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-2England: KS2 Y5 Earth and space

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Why we see different stars in different seasons.

  • 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: Stars: when we see them and what they are

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 (Stars: when we see them and what they are). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which star is closest to Earth? (the Sun / Mars / the Moon / the North Star (Polaris)) → the SunPrompt: It lights up our day.
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (The Moon is a star. / Stars give out their own light. / Stars are small and close to Earth. / Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night.) → Stars give out their own light.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.
  3. True or false? All stars are the same size and brightness. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: What hides stars, and how far away are they?

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: Why we see different stars in different seasons. 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 can we see different constellations in winter and summer?
  • Step 1: Earth's orbit changes which stars are in the night sky through the year.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.
  • Answer: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.
  • 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. Orion is easy to see on winter evenings in Europe, but not on summer evenings. Has Orion moved? (Yes, it shrinks in summer. / Yes, it flies south for the summer. / No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight. / No, it is destroyed every summer.) → No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.Prompt: Stars do not go away; where is the Sun?
  2. True or false? Constellations change shape every night. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Earth spins (daily) and orbits (yearly). Which explains what?

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 can see every constellation on any night of the year. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Earth spins (daily) and orbits (yearly). Which explains what?
  2. Orion is easy to see on winter evenings in Europe, but not on summer evenings. Has Orion moved? (Yes, it flies south for the summer. / No, it is destroyed every summer. / Yes, it shrinks in summer. / No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.) → No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.Prompt: Stars do not go away; where is the Sun?

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: Stars: when we see them and what they are.
  • 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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Why we see different stars in different seasons

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    What causes this pattern: we see different constellations in winter and summer?

    • A. Earth orbiting the Sun once a year
    • B. Earth spinning on its axis once a day
    • C. the Moon orbiting Earth

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Constellations change shape every night.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Orion is easy to see on winter evenings in Europe, but not on summer evenings. Has Orion moved?

    • A. Yes, it flies south for the summer.
    • B. No, it is destroyed every summer.
    • C. No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.
    • D. Yes, it shrinks in summer.

  4. Question 4

    What causes this pattern: stars appear to circle around Polaris during the night?

    • A. the Moon orbiting Earth
    • B. Earth orbiting the Sun once a year
    • C. Earth spinning on its axis once a day

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Stars appear to move across the night sky because Earth spins.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    In the Northern Hemisphere one star seems to stay still while others circle around it. Which star is it?

    • A. the Sun
    • B. Polaris, the North Star
    • C. Mars
    • D. the Moon

  7. Question 7

    True or false? You can see every constellation on any night of the year.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    Over one night, the stars seem to move across the sky from east to west. Why?

    • A. The wind blows them.
    • B. Earth is spinning.
    • C. The Moon pulls them.
    • D. The stars are falling.

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Answer key: Why we see different stars in different seasons

  1. 1. A. Earth orbiting the Sun once a year

  2. 2. B. False

  3. 3. C. No, in summer Orion is in the sky during the day, hidden by sunlight.

  4. 4. C. Earth spinning on its axis once a day

  5. 5. A. True

  6. 6. B. Polaris, the North Star

  7. 7. B. False

  8. 8. B. Earth is spinning.