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Science at key stage 3    (Year 7)

Unit 7L: The solar system and beyond
Section 1: What is the cause of a year, a month, a day?

QCA

Objectives
Children should learn:
  • to explain phenomena such as day and night, and the apparent movement of the Sun
  • to represent the system as a model and as a diagram

Activities

Outcomes
Children:
  • Pose these questions about time so pupils can review their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between Sun, Earth and Moon. Ask them to represent the system as a model made up from, eg a light source, football and tennis ball, and to use the model to explain the phenomena. Ensure that they can correctly identify the Sun, Earth and Moon in this model. Show pupils photographs, video clips, CD-ROMs and simulations to reinforce their knowledge.
  • Challenge pupils to answer questions, eg
    • Which way is 'down' in Australia?
    • How do we know the Earth is a sphere and not flat?
    • Why are there time zones?
  • represent the Sun, Earth and Moon by spheres and identify them in a model or diagram representing the system
  • use the model to explain how day and night occur, involving the Earth's rotation
  • use the model to explain the passing of a month and of a year
  • use the model to explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky during a day

Points to note
  • At key stage 2 pupils will have considered evidence for the Sun, Earth and Moon being spherical and used models showing their relative positions and sizes.
  • Extension: pupils could find out about the work of Harrison in developing a chronometer accurate enough to determine longitude precisely.

Sections in this unit

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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.
1. What is the cause of a year, a month, a day?
2. a. How do we see the Sun and Moon?
3. b. How do we see the Sun and Moon?
4. c. How do we see the Sun and Moon?
5. d. How do we see the Sun and Moon?
6. a. What causes the seasons on Earth?
7. b. What causes the seasons on Earth?
8. Checking progress
9. a. What does the solar system consist of?
10. b. What does the solar system consist of?
11. c. What does the solar system consist of?
12. What is beyond the solar system?
13. Reviewing work