Lesson Plan: Planet Earth - Patterns of Movement of the Sun and Moon

Subject: Sciences

Level: First Level

Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes:

SCN 1-06a: By safely observing and recording the sun and moon at various times, I can describe their patterns of movement and changes over time. I can relate these to the length of a day, a month and a year.

Learning Intentions:

• To observe and record the patterns of movement of the sun and moon at different times.
• To describe the changes in the patterns of movement of the sun and moon over time.
• To relate the patterns of movement of the sun and moon to the length of a day, a month and a year.

Success Criteria:

• I can safely observe and record the patterns of movement of the sun and moon at different times.
• I can describe the changes in the patterns of movement of the sun and moon over time.
• I can relate the patterns of movement of the sun and moon to the length of a day, a month and a year.

Resources:

• A globe or a model of the Earth.
• A flashlight or a lamp.
• A ball or a small object to represent the moon.
• A chart or a calendar to record observations.

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Begin the lesson by asking the students if they have ever noticed how the sun and moon move in the sky.
• Show them a globe or a model of the Earth and explain that the Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night, and revolves around the sun, causing the seasons.
• Ask the students if they know how long a day, a month and a year are.

Main Activity (30 minutes):

• Divide the students into pairs or small groups.
• Give each group a flashlight or a lamp, a ball or a small object to represent the moon, and a chart or a calendar to record observations.
• Instruct the students to place the ball or the small object on the globe or the model of the Earth and shine the flashlight or the lamp on it to represent the sun.
• Ask the students to observe and record the position of the moon and the sun at different times of the day and night, and on different days of the week.
• Encourage the students to discuss their observations with their partners or group members and to make predictions about the patterns of movement of the sun and moon.
• After 20 minutes, bring the students back together and ask them to share their observations and predictions with the class.

Plenary (10 minutes):

• Summarize the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the patterns of movement of the sun and moon and their relation to the length of a day, a month and a year.
• Ask the students to reflect on what they have learned and to share one thing they found interesting or surprising.
• Conclude the lesson by reminding the students to continue observing and recording the patterns of movement of the sun and moon in the future.