PR-6171IRE Science A STEM Approach - 1st Class

Lesson 2
Earth and the Environment
IN THE SKY AND ON THE LAND
Lesson Plan
Introduction:
1. Show the cartoon on page 139 to the class and read aloud. In small groups, pupils discuss the
cartoon and why they think stars aren’t visible in the day sky.
Development:
2. Pupils write their predicted answer on page 140. As a class, conduct a vote and tally how many
pupils agree with each child in the concept cartoon.
3. Pupils then conduct a simple torch experiment which illustrates what happens to the stars in the
day, outlined on page 140. Pupils complete page 140.
4. Discuss as a class, to ensure everyone has arrived at the same conclusion that the stars are always
shining but during the day the sun shines brighter, so they appear to not be shining. Review
the concept cartoon and take another class tally to compare their initial predictions with their
observations.
5. Ask pupils about the moon. Can you only see the moon in the night sky? Take a quick show of
hands tally and record the results on a mini whiteboard.
6. Show pupils this image of the day sky with the moon in it . Is it day
or night in this photograph? How can you be sure? Show another image with both the sun and
moon and discuss. Explain to pupils that the moon does not always
disappear when the sun appears in the day. It does not make its own light like the stars. The moon
has its own timetable and rises and sets like the sun, but not at the same time.
7. Display the image again at and ask again if the moon can only
be seen at night. Take another quick show of hands to tally the results. Pupils compare it to the
predictions tally from Step 5 and explain any differences between the two tallies.
Differentiation
• During the lesson, adult focused support to ensure that all pupils are able to understand the
concept cartoon exercise and complete the star experiment on page 140.
Reflection:
8. Individually, pupils write in their science copybook one thing they learnt about the stars and one
thing they learnt about the moon.
Viewing sample
138 Science:
A STEM APPROACH
1st
CLASS
978-1-912760-15-2 Prim-Ed Publishing – www.prim-ed.com