The Moon and all its mysteries are being discovered by children at Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

The lunar lessons are all part of a wider exploration of the planets by Year 5 that began with an understanding of the phases of the Moon and its movement in relation to the Earth.

The workshop by visiting science teacher Lauren Smith from Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School saw pupils create the various phases of the Moon to help deepen their understanding.

The term-long cross-curriculum topic is encouraging the children to question ‘how do we know what is out there’ in relation to space, including the studies of astronomer Galileo, the movement and rotation of all the major planets, night and day and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.

The historic moon landing by Apollo 10 in 1969 by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins is being explored together with the developments of space travel through the decades leading to the International Space Station of today.

The year group is also reading and working on related texts including George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking, Curiosity – The Story of a Mars Rover, and The Jamie Drake Equation – Christopher Edge.

They will also consider how scientific knowledge can be used to explain a prediction; and how to record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.

Classroom presentations, a celebration of learning sharing their findings with Year 4 pupils, and an exhibition using models they have created are further parts of the thematic learning.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “Finding out about the moon and its importance to our planet was an excellent beginning to this far-reaching topic, and our children were thoroughly engaged with the lively and informative workshops with Lauren Smith.”

The Moon – Fascinating Facts

The Moon is 4.5 billion years old; it is about 250,000 miles from Earth; it orbits the Earth at an average speed of 2288 miles per hour; it has no atmosphere, wind, or weather; it is much smaller than the Earth, with a diameter of 2159 miles; water was discovered on the Moon in 2009.

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

 

**For more information contact Head of School Alex McAuley on 01843 597695