Explore the Moon: Key Stage 2 Comprehension and Writing Activities Pack with Worksheets

These activities are based on the article ‘Explore the Moon!’ in issue twenty-six of Animal Planet magazine. There are opportunities to develop comprehension and writing skills using the resources provided. Pupils will read fascinating facts about the Moon. They will learn about the phases of the Moon and think about what it might be like to visit the Earth’s natural satellite.

After reading the text and exploring resources about the Moon, pupils will be asked to research fascinating facts about the Earth, Sun or another planet or object in our solar system. They will then create their own ‘Explore the …’ article in a similar style to the Animal Planet text, with opportunities to explore how these could be illustrated when publishing a final version of their writing.
The resources could be used over a series of lessons English to create an inspiring resource for pupils in Key Stage 2 to develop skills in reading and writing.

What is included in this KS2 resources pack?

• Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Explore the Moon!’
• Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
• Phases of the Moon cards
• Phases of the Moon poster
• Phases of the Moon worksheet
• What would it be like on the Moon? short writing task
• Solar system cards
• Solar system research sheet
• Themed writing paper
• Teacher notes with guidance on how the resources could be used in the classroom

What is Animal Planet magazine?

This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.

To find out more, visit the Animal Planet magazine website.

National Curriculum Programme of Study Links

Reading

• Pupils should develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by listening to and discussing a wide range of … non-fiction
• Pupils should understand what they read by
  - checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.
  - asking questions to improve their understanding of the text.
• Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.

Writing

• Pupils should plan their writing by discussing and recording ideas (years 5 and 6 also by drawing on research where necessary)

Science

Year 5 – Earth and Space

• Pupils should be taught to:
  - describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system
  - describe the movement of the moon relative to the Earth
  - describe the Earth, Sun and Moon as approximately spherical bodies

This resource is part of the Learn Through Nature, with Animal Planet Magazine collection.
View more from this collection

• Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Explore the Moon!’
• Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
• Phases of the Moon cards
• Phases of the Moon poster
• Phases of the Moon worksheet
• What would it be like on the Moon? short writing task
• Solar system cards
• Solar system research sheet
• Themed writing paper
• Teacher notes with guidance on how the resources could be used in the classroom