Learning Target: I can demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours causing the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.

Think about these questions today as we review what we know about the Sun, moon, and Earth:

• What causes day and night on Earth?
• How long is one day?
• What is happening on the other side of the Earth while we experience day?
• Do we always have the same number of daylight hours?
• Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky?  Is it really moving?
• How does Earth’s movement cause day and night cycles?

Vocabulary:

• axis
• rotate
• rotation
• Northern hemisphere
• Southern hemisphere
• equator
• shadow

Introduction:

• Website:  Ancient Models of the World

Explore:

• Directions:  How does Earth’s movement cause day & night?
• Virtual Lab:  Day & Night Cycle
• Websit:  Where is the Sun in the Sky?

Explain:

• Animation:  Day and Night
• Video:  Earth Spin Animation (1 hour)
• Animation:  Earth-Sun Relationship (Click on “Show Earth Profile” bottom left.)

Evaluation:

• Rotation Questionnaire

Learn More:

• Study Jams:  A Day on Earth
• Activity:  Make a Sundial
• Video:  Our Solar System (31 min.)

For Fun:

• Pixar Movie:  Day and Night (5.5 min.)