🔬 6th Grade Science · Unit 1
Earth, Moon and Sun
16 short narrated lessons in 3 chapters, each with pictures, a quiz with a hint and a second try, and an explanation for every answer.
Standards: MS-ESS1-1
What your child will learn
Moon phases
- How the Moon ShinesExplain that the Moon does not make its own light but reflects light from the Sun.
- The Moon's OrbitDescribe how the Moon orbits Earth about once every month.
- Why the Moon Changes ShapeUse a Sun-Earth-Moon model to explain why we see different amounts of the Moon's lit half.
- Naming the PhasesIdentify and order the eight phases of the Moon from new moon to full moon and back.
- Moon Phases Review ReviewReview how the Moon's orbit and reflected sunlight cause the cycle of lunar phases.
Eclipses
- Shadows in SpaceExplain how Earth and the Moon cast long shadows into space.
- Solar EclipsesDescribe how a solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth.
- Lunar EclipsesDescribe how a lunar eclipse happens when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
- Why Eclipses Are RareExplain that the Moon's tilted orbit is why eclipses do not happen every month.
- Eclipses Review ReviewReview how the positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon create solar and lunar eclipses.
Seasons
- Earth's Tilted AxisDescribe how Earth spins on an axis that is tilted about 23.5 degrees.
- Direct and Slanted SunlightExplain why direct sunlight heats the ground more than slanted sunlight.
- Why We Have SeasonsUse a model of Earth's tilt and orbit to explain why seasons happen.
- Solstices and EquinoxesIdentify the solstices and equinoxes and what makes each one special.
- Seasons Review ReviewReview how Earth's tilt, not its distance from the Sun, causes the seasons.
- Unit 1 Test: Earth, Moon and SunShow what you learned in the whole unit (Moon phases, Eclipses, Seasons) by answering mixed questions.
Try a question from this unit
From the lesson “How the Moon Shines”
Which of these is a light source?
Show the answer
a campfire. A campfire makes its own light as the wood burns, so it is a light source. The Moon and a mirror can look very bright, but they only reflect light that comes from somewhere else.
Hint kids see after a wrong try: “Picture each one in a place with no other light at all. Which one would you still be able to see?”
Key words
- reflect
- light source
- orbit
- satellite
- phase
- model
- new moon
- full moon
- waxing
- waning
- shadow
- umbra
- penumbra
- solar eclipse
- lunar eclipse
- tilt
- alignment
- axis
- rotation
- direct rays
- angle
- season
- revolution
- hemisphere
Try these lessons in Kids Shelf
Narrated lessons, pictures and quizzes for every grade from K to 8. Works offline.
