YourLearning

Grade 6 · Space · The Solar System and Space Exploration

Model the Earth-Moon-Sun System

Models help us reason about bodies that are extremely large and far apart. The Sun emits light, while Earth and the Moon reflect sunlight and move under gravity.

Visual model

See how the ideas connect

Look · connect · explain
Start at the centre. Follow each line and explain how that idea belongs to The Solar System and Space Exploration.

For students

Notice, predict, explain

Choose one part of the model. Predict how it connects to another part, then use the lesson evidence to explain your thinking.

For teachers

Pause for science talk

Show the model before the explanation. Ask “What do you notice?” and “What might change?” Then revisit student ideas after the worked example.

The big idea

Relative position and motion create patterns we observe

Earth's rotation and orbit, the Moon's orbit, reflected sunlight, and gravity combine to produce regular patterns such as day and night, moon phases, seasons, and eclipses.

Work it through

Explain the Moon's changing appearance

  1. Step 1 The Sun illuminates half of the Moon at all times, except during a lunar eclipse.
  2. Step 2 As the Moon orbits Earth, our viewing angle toward its illuminated half changes.
  3. Step 3 The visible illuminated portion follows a repeating sequence of phases; Earth's shadow does not cause the ordinary phases.
  4. Step 4 A scale model can show relative positions, but its size and distance limits must be stated clearly.