SuperTeacher Edge
Science · Grade 6 · Block 1 · Session 1
Changes in the Sky Across the Day
20 min
Changes in the Sky Across the Day banner image
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Aim
5 min
Explain why the Sun appears to move in the sky and how it affects a day.
We already know the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Today, we will learn why the Sun appears to move in the sky and how this affects the activities we do in a day.
New Words
looks like; seems to be
Resources
1.
A flashlight (Sun)
2.
A ball (Earth)
3.
A circle sticker
4.
Notebook
5.
Mastery Book
Action
15 min
Group Work · 15 minutes
Show Your Place on Earth
Put a sticker on the ball to show your place on Earth.
Keep The Sun Fixed
Keep the flashlight still while students rotate the Earth model.
Action activity illustration
Rotate The Earth
Rotate the ball slowly from west to east and observe the light.
Teacher Tip
As the ball turns, ask students to describe what changes for the sticker and what stays the same about the flashlight.
Observe The Light
Watch how light falls on the sticker and how darkness returns as the Earth turns.
Analysis
10 min
Generalised Discussion
Question
Why does the Sun appear to move in the sky, and how does that change the day?

The Sun appears to move because the Earth rotates from west to east.

This spinning makes the Sun seem to rise in the east and set in the west.

The Sun’s position helps us understand different times of the day.

Higher Order Thinking
Question
If the Sun is low in the east, what time is it? If it is low in the west, what time is it?

Low in the east means morning. Low in the west means evening.

Analysis discussion illustration
Application
5 min
Independent Practice

Complete the worksheet and describe how the Sun’s apparent movement affects the rhythm of the day.

Application practice illustration
Differentiation
Needs Help
Ask where the Sun is seen in the morning and where it is seen in the evening.
Encourage the child to point or act it out before answering verbally.
Needs a Challenge
Predict the time of day when the Sun is high but slightly toward the west.
Explain how the Earth’s turning changes what we see in the sky.
Homework

Answer Quick Quiz 1-4 in the Mastery Book.

Assessment
5 min
Learning Outcomes
Approaching
Notice that the Sun appears to move in the sky.
Meeting
Explain why the Sun appears to move in the sky and how it affects a day.
Exceeding
Predict different times of the day based on the position of the Sun.
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