Starter quiz
Earth spins, or ______ on its axis once every 24 hours.- 'rotates' ✓
- Which word do scientists use to describe the skill of looking at something very closely?
- test
- measure
- observe ✓
- classify
-
When light shines on an object outside during the day, a shadow can form. Where does the light come from?
A torch
The Sun ✓
The Moon
A person makes a shadow when they block light from the Sun because they are...- tall
- heavy
- smooth
- opaque ✓
- transparent
-
- Which statement about shadows is true?
- Shadows can be made indoors and outdoors. ✓
- Shadows can only be made outdoors.
- Shadows can only be made indoors.
-
- Which unit would you use for measuring the length of a very short shadow?
- millimetres ✓
- millilitres
- minutes
- miles
-
Exit quiz
- Which of the following must be used to look at the Sun safely?
- magnifying glasses
- sunglasses
- solar viewing glasses ✓
-
Which statement is correct for why the Sun appears to move across the sky during the day?- The Sun moves around Earth.
- The Sun rotates on its axis.
- Earth rotates on its axis. ✓
-
Match the time of day with where the Sun appears in the sky.- morning or evening⇔low in the sky ✓
- midday⇔above us ✓
- night⇔the Sun can not be seen ✓
From Earth, it looks like the Sun disappears every night. Which statement below is correct?- The Sun looks like it disappears because it only gives out light during the day.
- The Sun looks like it disappears because it is covered by clouds at night.
- The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins away from it. ✓
- The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins towards it.
-
Which movement in space causes the shadows on Earth to change during a day?- The Sun rotating
- Earth rotating ✓
- The Sun orbiting
- Earth orbiting
-
- Match each time of day to the correct length of shadow.
- 11 am⇔110 cm ✓
- 12 noon⇔70 cm ✓
- 5 pm⇔280 cm ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun
- From Earth, the Sun looks like it moves across the sky in the daytime
- From Earth, the Sun looks like it disappears at night
- The Sun does not actually move around Earth, rather it is Earth that rotates on its axis
- We can observe shadows changing throughout the day because Earth is rotating
Common misconception
Children may believe that the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Sun moves around Earth
Provide plenty of opportunities for children to use models to see that it is Earth rotating that makes it look like the Sun is moving.
Keywords
Sun - The Sun is a star and the centre of our solar system.
Earth - Earth is the planet on which we live.
Rotating - Earth is always rotating, this means it is spinning on its axis.
Shadow - A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks the light.
Observe - When we observe, we look closely and can use other senses too.
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