Eclipses Lesson Plan

Grade/Subject:__Grade 6 Science__________ Unit:_______Sky Science__________ Lesson Duration:__50___

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General Learning Outcomes:
6.7 - Observe, describe, and interpret the movement of objects in the sky; and identify pattern and order in these
movements.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

6.12 - Understand that Earth, the sun and the moon are part of a solar system that occupies only a tiny part of the
known universe.
6.74 - Understand that the sun should never be viewed directly, nor by use of simple telescopes or filters, and that safe
viewing requires appropriate methods and safety precautions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1. Observe and trace shadows to understand penumbra and umbra.
2. Investigate how eclipses happen due to an object casting a shadow on another object.
3. Demonstrate their understanding of a Solar Eclipse and a lunar Eclipse (Partial Eclipse & Total Eclipse.

ASSESSMENTS
Observations: Key Questions:
Walking around classroom. What is a shadow?
Classroom discussions. Can you predict the shadow of an object?
Exit Slip. How is the sun related to the formation of shadows?
Look at the shadow, is it the same colour throughout?
What must happen to cause an eclipse of the sun? Of the moon?
When could an eclipse of the sun occur? Of the moon Occur?
Why do you think there is not an eclipse of the moon every
month?
What did you observe about parts of shadows?
How do you think this would affect an eclipse seen from Earth?
Written/Performance Assessments: None/Exit Slip

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Resource #1: Exploration in Science.
Resource #2: Gizmos.
Resource #3:

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

* Foam Balls *20
* Dowels *20
* Opaque Rulers *10
* White paper *10
* Small White Boards.

1
 PROCEDURE

Introduction (_5-8_min.):
Hook/Attention Grabber:Who remembers the Total Solar Eclipse in 2017?

Assessment of Prior Knowledge:

What is a shadow?
What do you predict the shape of the ruler shadow will be?
Will we see one or 2 shadows?

Expectations for Learning and Behaviour:

We got a fun task at hand so let’s make sure we are all paying attention and staying focused.
Re-enforce the push up game

Advance Organizer/Agenda:
1) Observe shadow of a ruler and the kinds of shadows we see.
2) Discuss what we saw.
3) Demonstrate an Eclipse of our own.
4) Discuss what we saw. Student demonstrations.

2
Body (_40_min.):
Learning Activity #1: Trace the shadow of a ruler. (10-15 mins)
- Divide students into groups of 3.
- Each will have a light source, a ruler and a white board..

1. Students will lean the white board so it is vertical on the table.

2. Students will trace the shadow of the ruler and if there are more than one shadow they will trace both.
- Here students will notice that there are 2 shadows and they overlap.
- The area where the shadows overlap is called the umbra. The shadows that don’t overlap are called the Penumbra.
3. A classroom discussion will then be held.
- What did you observe about the shadows?
- How is the sun related to the formation of shadows?
- Look carefully at the shadow itself. Is it the same colour throughout?
- What do you think caused the shadow to have a dark and light area?
- How did the size of each compare?
- Do you think objects in space cast shadows?


Assessments/Differentiation:
Discussion and walking around classroom.

Learning Activity #2: Hypothesize why we get eclipses. (5 mins)

Ask: How do you think an eclipse of the sun or an eclipse of the moon is caused?

-Students will pretend to be earlier astronomers and set up theories as to why we see Eclipses.

Assessments/Differentiation:
Observation of discussions.

Learning Activity #3: Demonstrate an Eclipse. (10-20 mins)

- Provide students with foam balls of different sizes. (one is earth and the other is the moon).
- Remind students about what we learned.
- Have students choose recorder.
- Test your theories.

A classroom discussion will be held: Open up Gizmos (Eclipses)

- What must happen to cause an eclipse? shadow (show on gizmo)

- When could an eclipse of the sun occur? Of the moon occur? (show on gizmo)
- Why do you think there is not an eclipse of the moon or sun every month? (moon’s orbit usually passes over the
shadow of the sun)
- What did you observe about parts of shadows? (umbra-gets smaller & penumbra-gets larger)
- How do you think this would affect an eclipse seen from Earth? (Partial or Total Eclipse)

Show National Geographic - Eclipses video or videos (depending on the time)

Solar Eclipse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxrLRbkOwKs
Lunar Eclipse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW2xRR75lKE

Assessments/Differentiation:
Discussion and walking around class.

Closure ( _5_min.):
Feedback From Students: Exit slip from students. If enough time.