Science at key stages 1 and 2 (Year 3)
Unit 3F: Light and shadows
Section 7: Showing how the Earth spins
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Objectives |
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- that the Sun does not move, its apparent movement is caused by the spinning of the Earth on its axis
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Activities |
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Outcomes |
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Children: |
- Use a model eg a powerful torch and a short shadow stick to illustrate that the higher the light source is the shorter the shadow, and how changing the relative position of the torch and stick causes the length and position of the shadow to change. Talk with children about whether they think the Sun does in fact move. Illustrate using models eg a model person stuck on a globe or secondary sources that the shadows can change as we move and the Sun stays still.
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- recognise that the higher the Sun appears in the sky the shorter the shadow
- recognise the apparent movement of the Sun is due to the movement of the Earth
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Points to note |
To avoid misconceptions move the stick relative to the torch rather than the torch relative to the stick. At this point children should be told that it is not the Sun that moves but the Earth. This can be illustrated using models or secondary sources eg video. This idea will be revisited in Year 5.
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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of
activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by
moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
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