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Unit 5e:
Earth, Sun and Moon
Know that the Earth Sun and Moon are spherical: explain why shadows change as the sun appears to move across the sky; know that it is daylight in the part of the earth facing the Sun and that the Moon orbits the Earth.
Teaching ICT Ideas l Websites
Direct2U Lesson Plan
The teacher uses an on-line simulation of the orbit of the Moon to demonstrate
the pattern and time scale of changes in the Moon's appearance over a 28-day
cycle.
 forum.ngfl.gov.uk
Direct2U Lesson Plan (Day Length)
Children study changes in day length in this country and throughout the world.
They present times of sunrise and sunset in a graph and look for trends and
patterns in the data. They will be supported to understand why these differences
occur. This is an extensive piece of work, which may need several sessions to
complete. A worksheet is provided in both rtf and Excel formats - W54 Science
Y5X, W54 Science Y5X2 and internet sources are recommended.
forum.ngfl.gov.uk
 Use the internet to find out about the phases of the moon and the 28-day pattern.
Phases of the moon
 ICT Link 5C
Children create a database on the solar system and then write some questions for other children to search the database to find the answer. Children look for accuracy and question plausibility.
Table of Facts
 Powerpoint Resource - (Greenwich ICT)
 Go on a simulated voyage through the solar system.
Explore a model of Earth's yearly revolution around the sun.
Using a spreadsheet to calculate how far a planet or the moon travels in a year. Speed of planets too.
Use Sunrise and sunset data to calculate length of days. Repeat at different times of the year to make comparisons.
Sunrise and Sunset times
Compare sunset and sunrise times with a school in a country in a different hemisphere to you.
Sunrise and sunset project
Observe seasons around the world via webcams
Webcams of different countries
 Use light sensors to gain information about day length at different times of the year.
Use an on-line simulation of the orbit of the Moon to demonstrate the pattern and time scale of changes in the Moon's appearance over a 28-day cycle.
First Science.com - historical video clips of moon landing and walking on the moon
ICT Link Unit 6D
 As part of the science topic ‘Earth, Sun and Moon’, children use the internet to research a number of specific questions, e.g. What is helium? Where and how is it made in vast amounts? What does the Earth look like when seen from the Moon? What would you remember about a walk on the Moon? Do you think the Sun is magnetic, with north and south poles? Why?
Tell the children they are going to look for information to answer the questions on two or three selected sites, and will present their findings to an audience. They are also going to compare the quality of the information provided by the sites. Remind the children about key word searches within the sites. Ask them to work in groups to find and interpret the information. They need to verify what they find by referring to other sources.
Discuss with the whole class the sites that were used, e.g. Why were those sites chosen? How long did it take to find the relevant information? How does the information differ on each site, and why? Was the information found relevant and reasonable?
Ask each group to use ICT to present the information to a specific audience, e.g. younger pupils. They will need to consider the most appropriate way of presenting their ideas, combining image, text, sound, animation, etc to suit the needs of the audience. Remind them that they will need to acknowledge the images and information sources used within their presentation to conform with copyright law.
Learning Outcome
- use searches to locate, understand and interpret information
- use a range of sources to check validity, and recognise different viewpoints and the impact of incorrect data
- present their ideas and information in a style that is appropriate to the audience
Websites
How big is the Solar System?
Here is a fun activitiy to do with the children outside. A great way to introduce the topic.
 Design a Planet
astroventure.arc.nasa.gov/DAP/DAP.html
This is a great animation that enables you to design your own planet including the sun, the orbit, mass, plate movements amongst other aspects.
Suitable for Keystages 2 and 3.
Another fantastic website from NASA to try is Planet Quest
planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
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