The movement of the Moon
You can use the idea of the Moon's movement to begin to explain why the Moon appears to change shape.
The movement of the Moon
You can use the idea of the Moon's movement to begin to explain why the Moon appears to change shape.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Moon moves around the Earth. It takes approximately 28 days for the Moon to complete its orbit of the Earth.
- As the Moon orbits the Earth, the same side of the Moon is always facing us.
- We see the Moon because light from the Sun shines on the Moon and this light is reflected to Earth.
- The Moon appears to change shape depending on the amount we see from Earth being lit by the Sun.
Keywords
Moon - Our Moon is an object that travels around planet Earth.
Reflect - To reflect light is when light hits a surface and bounces off in another direction.
Orbit - Orbit is when something travels around a star, planet or moon.
Satellite - The Moon is a satellite because it moves around the Earth.
Observations - When we make observations we look closely at something and use other senses too.
Common misconception
Pupils will think that the Moon actually does change shape, or that it becomes covered with clouds.
Pupils should use models to see and feel for themselves what is actually moving and how this affects the apparent shape of the Moon.
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: The movement of the Moon, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: The movement of the Moon, 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 secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
selection of spheres, white ball (polystyrene sphere), stick (pencil), bright torch
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
A rocky planet
A star
A satellite of Earth
Exit quiz
6 Questions
