Year 5 Science · The Earth, Sun and Moon · Lesson 8.2

Year 5 Science: The Moon moves round the Earth

Part of the Year 5 Science the earth, sun and moon chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

8.2

The Moon moves round the Earth

Year 5
E2: describe the movement of the Moon relative to the Earth

Story. Tom looks out of his bedroom window at night and sees the Moon. “Is the Moon moving?” he asks. Mr Patel says: “Yes, it moves round the Earth. It takes about a month to go once round.”

The Moon is a natural object that moves round the Earth. Its path round the Earth is its orbit. The Moon takes about a month to go once round the Earth.

The Moon does not make its own light. It reflects light from the Sun, which is why we can see it at night.

The Earth and the Moon both move. The Earth goes round the Sun, and the Moon goes round the Earth at the same time.

The Earth in the middle, with the Moon moving on a path round it.

Key ideas

The Moon moves round the Earth, along an orbit.
The Moon takes about a month to go once round the Earth.
The Moon does not make its own light, but reflects light from the Sun.
The Moon’s shape seen from the Earth changes over the month (taught as an example only).

Worked example 8.2.1

What does the Moon go round? Write the word.

Method. Read section 8.2.

Read the description. The Moon moves round the Earth.
round the Earth
Name it. So the Moon goes round the Earth.
Earth
Write the answer.
Earth

Check. The Earth is the object the Moon goes round. ✓

Worked example 8.2.2

How long does the Moon take to go once round the Earth? Write the words.

Method. Read the description.

Read the description. The Moon takes about a month to go once round the Earth.
about a month
Name the time. So the time is about a month.
about a month
Write the answer.
about a month

Check. A month is roughly four weeks. ✓

Worked example 8.2.3

Does the Moon make its own light? Write yes or no.

Method. Read the key ideas.

Read the key idea. The Moon reflects light from the Sun, so it does not make its own light.
reflects light
Decide. So the answer is no.
no
Write the answer.
no

Check. The Moon shines because it reflects sunlight. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: the Moon does not give out its own light. When we see the Moon, we see sunlight that has bounced off its surface.

Try it (with your teacher). With your teacher, use a torch as the Sun and a small ball as the Moon. Hold a larger ball as the Earth. Move the small ball round the larger one, and notice which side of the small ball is lit. Never point the torch at anyone’s eyes.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “What does the Moon go round? Does the Moon make its own light?” Let your child explain the Moon using the word reflects.

Exercise 8B The Moon moves round the Earth

FWhat does the Moon move round? Write the word.

Done

FHow long does the Moon take to go once round the Earth? Write the words.

Done

FDoes the Moon make its own light? Write yes or no.

Done

FFill in the gap: the Moon ___ light from the Sun. Write one word.

Done

PSWhich object is larger, the Earth or the Moon? Write the word.

Done

PSTrue or false: the Moon goes round the Sun, not round the Earth. Write true or false.

Done

PSLook at the picture in section 8.2. What is in the middle of the picture? Write the word.

Done

PSIs the Moon a planet? Write yes or no.

Done

PSWorking scientifically. Predict and check. Predict how long the Moon would take to go round the Earth twice. Write about how many months.

Done

RExplain why we can see the Moon at night, even though it does not make its own light. Write one sentence.

Done

RExplain why the Moon takes about a month to go round the Earth, not a day. Write one sentence.

Done