Our Place in Space: Tracking the Earth's Path Around the Sun

Sun in Space
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Intended Grade Level(s):
1-3
Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Sources of Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able describe how the Earth orbits the Sun and how the tilt of the planet creates the seasons by recording the ‘Sun’s path’ in our sky in the fall, winter, and spring.

Unit:
Our Place in Space
Lesson Number:
3
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Relevant NGSS PE:
1-ESS1-1,
1-ESS1-2,
3-ESS2-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
6 hours
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Earth_and_Sun_1stGr.pdf
Description:

During sessions in October, January, and April we will discuss observations about the weather during that season (temperature, length of day, precipitation) and explore how this relates to the Earth’s movement around the Sun. The lesson series will start with an introduction to compasses and predictions on how students’ shadows will change over the day. Students will learn about how a hemisphere model works to demonstrate the sun’s path across the sky and will record the sun’s reflection on the dome at five times that day. By the end of the school year students will be able to predict where the path of the sun will be in the middle of the summer on their hemisphere model. 

Other Material(s) Used:
• (30) Compasses • (90) Starbucks plastic lids • Poster board for the hemisphere guide • Sharpie markers • Globe • Light bulb or lamp • Small object/toy and sticky tac to attach to the globe • Whistle