The Motions of the Earth

Lesson Plan: Grade 6

Subject: Social Studies (Class VI)Topic: The Motions of the EarthSubtopics: Rotation, Revolution and SolsticeDuration: 6 periods

Prepared by:Ms Mallika Budhiraja

(D.A.V Public School, Reserve Bank Enclave)

Learning ObjectivesStudent will know the terms rotation,

revolution, axis, Earth, Moon, and Sun. Student will be able to explain that Earth

tilts on its axis. Students will be able to explain that due

to rotation and the tilt of the Earth we have different seasons.

Students will be able to explain that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Students will be able to identify the different seasons.

Objectives To enable the students to internalize

and remember rotation and revolution of the Earth around the sunTo enable the students define and

describe rotationTo enable the students define and

describe revolution To empower the students to reason

why the sun is in different places in the sky at different times of day

Content FlowCheck for previous knowledg

e

Introduce rotation

Role play rotation

using globe

Video on Rotation

Introduce revolution

using poster

Recap information

learnt using

worksheet

Introduce solstice

and equinox

using chart

Reinforce concept using

labeling activity

Puzzle as home task

Materials used

PPT Globe Textbook

Board Documentary Diagrams

Teaching MethodologyIntroduction through questioning:The students will be asked questions based on their previous knowledge about the earth spinning on its imaginary axis from west to east. It completes one rotation in 24 hours. Terms like rotation, revolution and orbit will be explained. This knowledge will then be connected to the formation of day and night and seasons. This concept will be further connected to leap year, solstice and equinox.

Methodology contd…Rotation:- Rotation will be explained using a globe.The concept of rotation will be explained. The earth faces the sun while rotating from west to east. Each part of the earth facing the Sun is illuminated by sunlight turn by turn. Therefore day and night will be explained. The concept of Dawn and Dusk will be explained with the help of the globe and the electric lamp.The video to teach and support this topic is www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXnBVUoF4DY (Right Click to Open Hyperlink)Follow up: Students will be asked to draw a diagram showing the day and night due to rotation

Methodology contd…Revolution:- The students will be told that the earth completes one revolution around the sun in an elliptical orbit in one year. To be specific, the earth completes one revolution in 365 days and about 6 hours but we consider 365 days for convenience . The extra 6 hours are added up for four years hence making it a leap year with an extra day. The concept of leap year and connection between revolution and seasons will be further explained.

Follow Up: Recap of the topics taught uptil now will be done using a worksheet (attached on the next page)

Worksheet

Methodology contd…Positions Of The Earth On Particular DatesThe positions of the earth on particular dates will be explained . These positions causes seasons will also be mentioned.Position on 21 June: The northern hemisphere is inclined towards the sun and the southern hemisphere is away from the sun. The arctic circle faces the sun 24 hours. The northern hemisphere has :summer solstice and the southern hemisphere has winter solstice.Position on 23 September: The sun shines vertically over the equator therefore days and nights are equal in both the hemispheres.

Methodology contd…Position on 22 December: The southern hemisphere is inclined towards the sun and the northern hemisphere is away from the sun. Southern hemisphere has summer solstice and the northern hemisphere has winter solsticePosition on 21 March: The sun is vertical over the equator again, the duration of the day and nights is equal in both the hemisphere again. But it is spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere .Therefore vernal and autumnal equinoxes respectively

Follow up for Solstice

Follow up for Seasons

Home Task

Tools and AidsDocumentary on motions of earth

Power point presentation on rotation and revolution

Poster

Chart on seasons

Roleplay

Documentary on Day and Night

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXnBVUoF4DY

Formation of Day and Night - YouTube [360p].mp4

(Right click to open hyperlink)

The presentation would entail the following:

Recap about imaginary axisExplaining the terms: Rotation, Revolution and Orbit

Phenomenon of day and night

Model explaining day and nightRevolution of the earth and concept of leap yearEquinox and solstice

PowerPoint Presentation

Poster

Chart on Seasons of the Earth

Role Play by Students

Activity (Rotation): Explain to the students that to do this experiment you

will need to bring the Sun into the classroom. Ask if they think that is a good idea.

Discuss what you could use instead (i.e. torch or lamp). The torch/lamp represents the Sun, but tell children that you also need the Earth. Introduce the Globe.

Mark P on the globe to represent a place. Switch on the lamp and observe the lit half and dark half of the globe

Next you introduce a place on the opposite side of the globe.

Rotate the globe and discuss whether it is day or night on the marked points of the globe

Vocabulary

Axis Solstice Dawn Dusk Elliptic

al

ValuesWhat would happen if the earth stops moving?

What would happen if there were no sesons?

Suggest measures to save the earth

Asse

ssm

ent

Tech

niqu

esInterdisciplinar

y ActivitiesAssessment

Rubrics

Assignments

Interdisciplinary ActivitiesEnglish

• Make a colourful catchy slogan on ”Earths Rotation”

Maths• Using a

geometrical instrument show that the earths axis makes• 66.5

degree with its orbital plane

• 23.5 degree from its vertical line

Science• Make a

poster on “Save the Earth”

Social Studies

• Make a diagram representing Rotation and Revolution of the Earth

Assessment Rubrics

English• Language

(2)• Presentat

ion (2)• Creativity

(2)

Maths• Accurac

y of content (2)

• Neatness of Diagram (2)

Science• Clarity

(2)• Presentat

ion (5)• Creativity

(2)• Concept

(2)

Social Studies • Neatnes

s (2)• Accurac

y (2)• Shading

(2)

Assignments

Slow learner

• MCQ’s (2)• Tabular Chart (2)• Labeling Diagram (Solstice) (5)

General

• MCQ’s (2)• Fill in the blanks (2)• Questions and Answers (5)• Labeling Diagram (Rotation and Revolution)

(5)

High Achievers

• Crossword (10)• Labeling Diagram (Seasons) (5)• Questions and Answers (5)

Assignment for Slow Learners

Multiple Choice Questions

Some examples are:1.The Duration of day and night is equal in both hemispheres on ?a. 21st March b. 21 st Junec. 23rd September d. 22nd December

2.The time of sunrise is called __________________a. Morning b. Noonc. Dawn d. Dusk

3. A line that joins the north and south pole about which the earth rotates is calleda. Orbit b. Rotationc. Axis d. Revolution

4. A leap year has ___________ days in a year?a. 356 b. 366c. 364 d. 365

Tabular Chart

Follow up for Solstice

Questions and Answers

1. On what does the Earth rotate on?

2. What causes seasons?3. Explain the term Rotation and

Revolution. 4. How much time does the

earth take to complete one revolution?

Assignment for General Learners

Multiple Choice QuestionsSome examples are:

1.The Duration of day and night is equal in both hemispheres on ?a. 21st March b. 21 st Junec. 23rd September d. 22nd December

2.The time of sunrise is called __________________a. Morning b. Noonc. Dawn d. Dusk

3. A line that joins the north and south pole about which the earth rotates is calleda. Orbit b. Rotationc. Axis d. Revolution

4. A leap year has ___________ days in a year?a. 356 b. 366c. 364 d. 365

Label the diagram

Fill in the blanks

Questions and Answers

1. What is a leap Year?2. Is Rotation and Revolution

similar? Differentiate between the two.

3. Define the term Equinox. Explain two types of equinox.

4. How much time does the earth take to complete one rotation?

Assignment for High Achievers

Crossword Puzzle

Follow up for Seasons

Questions and Answers

1. Explain the Rotation of the Earth?

2. How are Rotation and Revolution different?

3. Explain the concept of leap year.

4. How does the position of the Earth cause Equinox and Solstice?

Follow up/ Remedial Strategy

On the basis of students performance, assignments and class performance of Formation Assessments, the teacher will enlist the following:-

The Conceptual Errors:- Difference between Rotation, Revolution and Different positions of Sun

The Assignment based Errors:- Labeling the Diagram