Our Moon is an object that travels around planet Earth.

To reflect light is when light hits a surface and bounces off in another direction.

Orbit is when something travels around a star, planet or moon.

The Moon is a satellite because it moves around the Earth.

When we make observations we look closely at something and use other senses too.

The movement of the Moon

Science

The shape of Earth

The shape of objects in space

Observing the Moon

The relative sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon (non-statutory)

More about the Sun (non-statutory)

Why we have day and night

Why the Sun appears to move across the sky

The planets in our solar system (non-statutory)

The movement of the planets around the Sun

Scientific theories from the past (non-statutory)

How we see the Moon from Earth

In the Earth, Sun and Moon unit, pupils learnt about the cause of day and night. In the Solar system and beyond unit they will build on this knowledge to learn about the motions that cause days and seasons on the Earth.

In the Seasonal changes units, pupils learn that day length varies throughout the year. In this Earth, Sun and Moon unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky

This unit covers the movement of the Earth, moon, and planets, describing them as spherical bodies. It explains Earth's rotation, causing day and night, and the sun's apparent movement. Emphasis is on recording complex data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Earth, Sun and Moon

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Some objects in space move in different ways. Which statement is **not** true?

Approximately, how long does it take the Moon to orbit Earth?

Sometimes it takes more than 28 days and sometimes it takes less than 28 days.

It is not exactly 28 days, it actually takes 27.3 days.

Because no-one knows exactly how long it takes.

Why do scientists use the word approximately to describe how long it takes the Moon to orbit Earth?

From Earth, we only ever see the same side of the Moon.

From Earth, we see all of the Moon as it spins.

Which statement about the Moon is *not* true?

None of the Moon is being lit by the Sun.

From Earth, the side of the Moon being lit by the Sun is facing us.

From Earth, the side of the Moon being lit by the Sun is not facing us.

Which statement explains what is happening when we see a full Moon in the night sky from Earth?

Which statement explains what is happening when there is a new Moon in the night sky from Earth?

Approximately how many miles away from Earth is the Moon?

Match the descriptions with the names of these objects in space.

The Moon is mostly made of {{}} and dust.

People have travelled to the Moon but not landed on it.

People have travelled to the Moon and walked on its surface.

Which of these objects produces its own light?

Which statement is *not* a scientific skill involved in looking at the Moon every night for a month.

Starter Quiz

Approximately how many miles away from Earth is the Moon?