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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 60 minutes

Stars: when we see them and what they are

Space

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Stars: when we see them and what they are.

  • 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: Why we see different stars in different seasons

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 · 6 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.
  1. What is the Sun? (a comet / a planet / a moon / a star) → a starPrompt: It makes its own light, like the stars at night.
  2. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is true? (The Moon makes its own light. / The Sun goes round the Earth. / Stars are still in the sky during the day. / You can only see the Moon at night.) → Stars are still in the sky during the day.Prompt: Which objects make their own light?
  3. Sun, Moon and stars: which statement is NOT true? (The Moon reflects light from the Sun. / You can only see the Moon at night. / The Sun is a star. / The Sun appears to move across the sky during the day.) → You can only see the Moon at night.Prompt: Does the Sun really move round us?

Hook · 6 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: Stars: when we see them and what they are. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What are stars?
  • Step 1: Stars are giant balls of hot gas that give out their own light.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away
  • Answer: huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. Which star is closest to Earth? (the Moon / the Sun / the North Star (Polaris) / Mars) → the SunPrompt: It lights up our day.
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (Stars are small and close to Earth. / The Moon is a star. / The Sun is a star. / Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night.) → The Sun is a star.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What are stars? (pieces of the Moon / huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far away / holes in the sky / small lights hanging from the sky) → huge, very hot balls of glowing gas, very far awayPrompt: The Sun is one of them.
  2. Stars: which statement is true? (Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night. / Stars are small and close to Earth. / The Moon is a star. / Groups of stars that make patterns are called constellations.) → Groups of stars that make patterns are called constellations.Prompt: Remember the Sun is our nearest star.

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: Why we see different stars in different seasons.
  • 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

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Stars: when we see them and what they are

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Stars: which statement is true?

    • A. The Moon is a star.
    • B. Stars are still there in the daytime.
    • C. Stars are small and close to Earth.
    • D. Stars disappear in the morning and are made again at night.

  2. Question 2

    Why do stars look tiny even though many are bigger than the Sun?

    • A. They are extremely far away.
    • B. They shrink at night.
    • C. Our eyes are too small.
    • D. They are made of glitter.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The stars are closer to us than the Moon.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    Why did people long ago use star patterns to find their way?

    • A. Stars talk to sailors.
    • B. The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.
    • C. Stars only appear above roads.
    • D. Stars point at the nearest town.

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Stars are switched off during the day.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    True or false? There are more stars than anyone could count.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Which star is closest to Earth?

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

  8. Question 8

    True or false? All stars are the same size and brightness.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Stars: when we see them and what they are

  1. 1. B. Stars are still there in the daytime.

  2. 2. A. They are extremely far away.

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. B. The patterns stay the same and appear in predictable places.

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. A. True

  7. 7. D. the Sun

  8. 8. B. False