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Orbits, eclipses and galaxies: 6th to 8th science

Gravity, orbits, eclipses and galaxies. A free 6th to 8th lesson plan with a hook, practice that links to free activities, and an exit ticket. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students work toward: gravity, orbits, eclipses and galaxies.

Hook (5 min)

  • Ask the class: Why isn't there an eclipse every month?
  • Take two or three answers and write them where everyone can see them.

Teach (15 min)

  • Say the big idea in one plain sentence: orbits, eclipses and galaxies.
  • Show one example, then one that is not an example, and ask how the two differ.
  • Have students tell a partner or a small group the idea in their own words.

Practise (20 min)

  • Choose one for the whole class or let groups pick:
  • Learn: Gravity and the Solar System (https://peabody.kids/world/science/science-gravity-and-the-solar-system)
  • Visit: Explore: Solar eclipses (https://peabody.kids/space/eclipses)
  • Learn: Stars and Galaxies (https://peabody.kids/world/science/science-stars-and-galaxies)
  • Read: Why Is Pluto Not a Planet? (https://peabody.kids/library/why-is-pluto-not-a-planet)

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • On a slip or aloud: one thing I learned about orbits, eclipses and galaxies, and one question I still have.
  • Sort the slips into: got it, nearly, not yet. Start tomorrow with the last pile.

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.