How we see the Moon from Earth
Lesson details
Learning outcome
You can explain how we see the Moon from Earth.
Key learning points
- The Moon is nearly 240,000 miles away from the Earth, yet we can see it without binoculars and telescopes
- The Moon is a dusty ball of rock, it does not produce its own light
- Light is reflected when it hits a surface and bounces off in a different direction
- We see the Moon because it reflects light from the Sun
Keywords
Moon - Our Moon is an object that travels around planet Earth
Sun - The Sun is a star and the centre of our solar system
Light source - Something that is a light source produces its own light
Reflect - To reflect light is when light hits a surface and bounces off in another direction
Common misconception
Pupils often think that the Moon produces its own light, or that the Moon only comes out at night
Explore common reflectors of light, to enable pupils to observe how some objects, including the Moon, appear to shine as they reflect light
Teacher tip
This lesson links to lesson 12. Dim the lights in the classroom when shining light from a torch onto a ball covered in paper. Pupils will be able to observe the surface of the ball reflecting ight from the torch.
Equipment
Reflective objects/materials, ball, paper, torch
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which statement best describes the Moon?
Q2.Something that produces and gives out its own light is called a light .
Q3.Which of these is not a light source?
Q4.Which of these is the main natural light source for planet Earth?
Q5.When light hits a surface and bounces off, scientists say that light is from the surface.
Q6.Which word do we use to describe how Earth moves around the Sun?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do we use binoculars and telescopes to look in detail at the Moon's surface?
Q2.Which statement about the Moon is true?
Q3.True or False? Moonlight is actually sunlight that shines on the Moon and bounces off.
Q4.When light hits an object or surface, it bounces off in another direction. We say that the light is being...
Q5.Which of these is not a light source?
Q6.Which statement explains why the Moon does not produce its own light?
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: How we see the Moon from Earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: How we see the Moon from Earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Earth, Sun and Moon unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.