The Earth and SunThe Earth and Sun

Movement of the Earth and SunMovement of the Earth and Sun

Try This:Try This:

In threes, one child act as the Sun. The Sun is at the In threes, one child act as the Sun. The Sun is at the centre of the Solar System. Another child act as the centre of the Solar System. Another child act as the Earth and show how the Earth orbits the Sun. Now ‘the Earth and show how the Earth orbits the Sun. Now ‘the Earth’ must spin as it orbits the Sun. Next introduce Earth’ must spin as it orbits the Sun. Next introduce another child as the Moon. Show how the Moon orbits another child as the Moon. Show how the Moon orbits the Earth.the Earth.

Movement of the Earth and SunMovement of the Earth and Sun

Now can we answer these questions?Now can we answer these questions?Talk to a partner before sharing ideas with the class:Talk to a partner before sharing ideas with the class:

How long does it take the Earth to orbit How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?the Sun?

How often does the Earth rotate?How often does the Earth rotate?

Click this link to a model from the BBC to help investigateClick this link to a model from the BBC to help investigate

Day and NightDay and Night

We know that the Earth spins as it travels.We know that the Earth spins as it travels.

We know that it takes 24 hours to spin We know that it takes 24 hours to spin once on its axis.once on its axis.

In your Science book explain using words In your Science book explain using words and pictures why we have day and night. and pictures why we have day and night.

SeasonsSeasonsThe Earth has seasons because it is tilted The Earth has seasons because it is tilted about 23.5 degrees from straight up and about 23.5 degrees from straight up and down. Think of the Earth as a spinning top, down. Think of the Earth as a spinning top, tipped over to one side. It remains tipped in tipped over to one side. It remains tipped in the same direction as it travels around the the same direction as it travels around the Sun. This means that sometimes the Sun. This means that sometimes the northern hemisphere of the Earth is pointing northern hemisphere of the Earth is pointing towards the Sun, and sometimes it is towards the Sun, and sometimes it is pointing away. When the northern half of the pointing away. When the northern half of the Earth is pointing towards the Sun, the Earth is pointing towards the Sun, the northern hemisphere of the Earth gets more northern hemisphere of the Earth gets more direct sunlight. We call this the "summer" direct sunlight. We call this the "summer" season for the north. At this same time, the season for the north. At this same time, the southern half of the Earth is pointed away southern half of the Earth is pointed away from the Sun, so people in the southern from the Sun, so people in the southern hemisphere get less direct sunlight. We call hemisphere get less direct sunlight. We call this "winter" for the southern hemisphere. this "winter" for the southern hemisphere. So, because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, So, because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, the seasons in the south are the opposite of the seasons in the south are the opposite of those in the north. those in the north. Suppose the Earth's axis was not tilted. Suppose the Earth's axis was not tilted. Then everybody would have the same Then everybody would have the same season all year round! season all year round!

Click this link to a video from NASA Click this link to a video from NASA

SeasonsSeasons

Show that you understand why we have Show that you understand why we have seasons by writing in your Science book seasons by writing in your Science book explanations that begin:explanations that begin:

We have Summer because…….We have Summer because…….

We have Winter because……We have Winter because……

Draw pictures to help you explain.Draw pictures to help you explain.

What do we know about the Sun?What do we know about the Sun?

Click this link to a video from the BBC:Click this link to a video from the BBC:

DANGERDANGER

The Sun is very powerful.The Sun is very powerful.

We must protect ourselves both from its We must protect ourselves both from its light and heat. How do we do this?light and heat. How do we do this?

Design and build a pair of funky ‘space Design and build a pair of funky ‘space themed’ sunglasses to protect your eyes!themed’ sunglasses to protect your eyes!