ED 3601
Minilesson Plan
MiniLesson Plan
Lesson: Solar Eclipse with a Coin
Grade: Science 6: Sky Science
Name: Amber MacLean
Date: February 7, 2006
Time: 20 minutes
GLOs:
Students will:
 Design and carry out an investigation in which variable are identified and controlled, and
that provides fair test of the question being investigated
 Demonstrate positive attitudes for the study of science and for the application of science
in responsible ways
 Observe, describe and interpret the movement of objects in the sky; and identify pattern
and order in these movements

SLOs:
Students will:
 communicate effectively with group members in sharing and evaluating ideas, and
assessing progress
 identify possible applications of what was learned
 show critical-mindedness in examining evidence and determining what the evidence
means
 a willingness to use evidence as the basis for their conclusions and actions
 recognize that the Sun and stars emit the light by which they are seen and that most other
bodies in space, including Earth’s moon, planets and their moons, comets, and asteroids,
are seen by reflected light
 recognize that the apparent movement of objects in the night sky is regular and
predictable, and explain how this apparent movement is related to Earth’s rotation

Lesson Objectives:
1. make predictions about the outcomes of a solar eclipse simulation
2. carry out procedures in simulating a solar eclipse
3. demonstrate cooperation in discussing their findings and interpretations with group
members
4. recognize the similarities between the an actual solar eclipse and the simulation
5. recall that light is emitted only by the sun and stars and reflected by other parts of the
solar system (ie. the moon)
Materials:
 coins (6)
 worksheets


computer/internet connection
video clip
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Minilesson Plan
Time:
4 min
Introduction:
Quick review: *We have been looking at the lunar cycle and how the moon
rotates around the earth. One rotation takes about 29 days. The earth is tilted
on its axis so the moon does not travel along the Earth’s equator when it circles
around.
*The moon does not give off light, it reflects the light that the sun gives off and
that is what makes the moon visible to us on Earth.
*An eclipse is when one part of our solar system blocks out the light or
reflection of another. There can be different types
-solar and lunar, total or partial
*Today we are going to focus on the solar eclipse. A solar eclipse happens
when the moon blocks the light of the sun. When the sun, our moon and Earth
all line up in a perfect line the moon is able to block the light of the earth.
*This does not happen during every lunar cycle due to the Earth’s tilt, which
causes the moon to not orbit around the equator.
Time:
13 min
Body:
1. Solar Eclipse Simulation: Explain the activity- Going to simulate an eclipse
today with coins
*The coin is going to represent the moon in our simulation of a solar eclipse
*The sun is going to be represented by the distant object
1. Record your predictions on your worksheet
2. Close one eye and look at an object in the distance that is much bigger
than the coin.
3. Hold the coin at an arms length in front of your open eye and look at
the object.
4. Bring the coin closer to your open eye until it is directly in front of your
eye.
5. Answer the questions on your worksheet as you work through the
simulation
6. Hand out worksheets and coins as we explaining what we are doing
today-transition
Questions:
1. What did your coin represent in the simulation?
2. What happened to the object in the distance as you brought the coin
closer to your eye?
Explanation:
1. The coin is smaller than the object, just as the moon is small than the
Sun, but they both are able to block out light when they pass close to
the observer.
2. When the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, it blocks out
light just like the coin blocked your view of the object. This is called a
solar eclipse.
3. The Moon moves around the Earth about once every 29 days, but a
solar eclipse does not occur every time. A solar eclipse can only happen
when the moon is lined up perfectly to cast its shadow over the earth
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2 min
Minilesson Plan
and block the sun light.
4. The Moon does not orbit around the Earth's equator, and the Earth's
axis is tilted, so the Moon's shadow misses the surface of the Earth
most of the time. Which is why a solar eclipse does not occur during
every lunar cycle.
2. Solar Eclipse Video Clip:
√ We are going to see a short video clip of a solar eclipse. They are beautiful
and spectacular and do not occur very often. Some people travel long distances
to watch the spectacle. Watch for how the real eclipse is the same and different
as the coin simulation.
√ Show video clip
Closure:
• Question: Was our simulation a fair representation of what happens during a
solar eclipse?
• Any other ideas of how to represent an eclipse using the same materials
provided?
*Solar eclipses are a beautiful sight
*Do not occur very often, although partial eclipses occur more often than total
*There are different types of eclipses and next we will look at the lunar eclipse
Assessment:
1. Objectives 1, 4, 5: Student responses on work sheet, and oral responses during class
discussion.
2. Objectives 2, 3: Observation of student skills and responses during simulation activity.
References:
Edscope, L.L.C. (2006). Solar System Learning Activities. Retrieved February 3, 2006,
from http://www.lessonplanspage.com/more/205la.html
Gurman, J.B. (2006). Solar Eclipse Information. Retrieved February 3, 2006, from
http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/eclipse/images/Freds_dundlod_movie_v.mov
Ingram, J., Herridge, D. & Moore, N. (1993). Explore! A Book of Science: Student
Resource Book 6. Don Mills: Addison-Wesley Publishers Limited.
Time:
3 min
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Minilesson Plan
Solar Eclipses
Name: ________________________
1. What do you think is going to happen in the simulation? State your predictions.
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2. What do you notice happens to the distant object as you bring the coin towards
your eye?
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3. How about trying the same experiment, but when bringing the coin towards your
eye, pull it to the side of your eye, not to the center of your eye. Now what did
you notice happens to the distant object as you bring the coin towards your eye?
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4. Do you think that our simulation was a fair representation of what happens during
a solar eclipse? Why or why not?
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5. Is there another way that you can think of to represent an eclipse using the same
material?
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