Author:
Out Teach
Subject:
Physical Science
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
Upper Primary
Grade:
4
Tags:
  • Day and Night
  • Earth Sciences
  • Ifthen
  • Moon
  • Out Teach
  • Science
  • Sun
  • ifthen
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Text/HTML

    Education Standards

    Earth's Rotation -- Out Teach

    Earth's Rotation -- Out Teach

    Overview

    Students know that there are recognizable patterns on earth.
    To demonstrate the rotation of earth, students will track the shadows on a sundial throughout the day.

    Background for Teachers

    Out Teach logo

    Students should be familiar with cardinal directions as well asthe position of the sun in the sky. Focus their attention on the length of the shadows at different times throughout the day and how this corresponds to the position of the sun.For additional background knowledge about Earth's rotation and revolution,in addition to clear up common misconceptions,Nasa Space Place has great information athttp://spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en/

    Key Vocabulary

    • Rotation

    • Axis

    • Cycle

    • Apparent

    Set up

    • Place a meter stick in a beaker full of sand and set up on a sidewalk or blacktop area.

    • Record every 10 minutes (twice before lesson if possible ex. 7:30 and 7:40)

    Engage: Shadows

    Ask: What happens when light from the sun is blocked by a solid object (a shadow is formed)

    Take students out to show them your meter stick.

    Have students trace the shadow and record the time.

    Explore: Collect data

    Give students a pre-made "agree/disagree" 10 question survey about how the earth, sun and moon move.

    Tell them 10 minutes have passed and have one student from working pairs trace the shadow and record the time.

    Give students a reading passage from their science book or article that describes how the earth, sun and moon system works. (Students should clear up misconceptions from survey)

    Tell them 10 more minutes have passed and have the other student from working pairs trace the shadow and record the time.

    Explain: How do the Earth, Sun and Moon move?

    • Have students correct their own misconceptions about the earth, sun and moon system.

    • Explain that the earth moves two ways, the earth rotates on its axis causing day and night.

    • The earth also revolves around the sun which takes one year.

    • After another 5-10 minutes have pairs observe the shadow now (trace the shadow and record the time)

    Ask: What do you notice? (the sun is in the sky in the east and the shadow is pointing to the west)

    Ask: What do you notice about your shadow? (the shadow is moving and getting shorter)

    • Does the shadow seem to be moving in a particular direction? (one side to the other)

    • Where will the shadow be at noon? Why? (it will be very short/you might not see it)

    • Where will the shadow be at 3pm? Why? (it might be pointing to the east because the sun will be setting in the west)

    • What does this evidence tell you about the earth and sun? How do you know? (the earth is rotating or spinning around and it makes it look like the sun moves across the sky)

    Elaborate: Tracing Shadows

    Have students sketch their observations in their science notebooks.

    Allow students to come outside each hour to trace shadow and record time.

    Evaluate: Parking decisions

    If a teacher wanted to park her car on the side of the school that didn't receive the hot afternoon sun what side of the building should she park on and why?

    Resources

    10 questions "True or False"  Before/After Response Journal Page:

    • Make a 3-column chart in your journal.

    • Before you read the passage and complete the activity, mark if you think each statement is True or False in the "Before Reading" column. 

    • Read the passage.

    • After you read the passage, mark True or False for each statement. Circle any that is different from your "before reading" answer.

    3-column Chart Titles:

    Statement / Before Reading:True or False / After Reading: True or False (Circle those that are different from the before column)

    Statements:

    • The time it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun is one year.

    • The earth and moon are held in orbit because of their distance from each other.

    • Gravity keeps the earth in orbit around the moon.

    • Earth revolves around the sun in a counterclockwise motion.

    • The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

    • The sun moves while earth stays still.

    • The time it takes for the earth to rotate on it's axis is 12 hours, causing day and night.

    • While one side of the earth is experiencing day time the other side is experiencing night.

    Career Connections

    The IF/THEN collection is the world’s largest free digital library of authentic and relatable images and videos of women STEM innovators.  

     

    Dana Bolles is a spaceflight engineer and advocate for the disabled in STEM. 

     

    Have your students watch this video for inspiration about pursuing STEM careers, and read this profile to learn more about Dana's story.

     

    Thank you for creating a culture shift in how the world perceives women in STEM.