The earth only revolves around one thing — and it's not any of your pupils. The lesson includes two activities dealing with the distance to the sun and the moon. First, scholars create a pin hole camera and use the rules of similar triangles to find the distance to the sun. Then, they use a model of the moon to figure its distance. 

Concepts

similar triangles, the sun, the moon, planet earth, distance, eclipses

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have learners research if Galileo went blind from looking directly at the sun

Classroom Considerations

• The first activity can only be completed on a sunny day, and the second activity can only be completed on a day when the moon is visible
• Warn pupils never to look directly at the sun
• The third lesson in a series of 10

Pros

• Includes assessment criteria
• Provides extension ideas

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3