Earth's rotation and day/night
Use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky
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Set out your lesson
“Can your child explain that the sun doesn't actually move across the sky — it's the Earth spinning that makes it look like it does, and that's what causes day and night?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky
What to notice. Explain that the Earth rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours • Describe how this rotation causes day (facing the sun) and night (facing away) • Explain that the sun appears to move across the sky because we are rotating, not the sun
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Can your child explain that the sun doesn't actually move across the sky — it's the Earth spinning that makes it look like it does, and that's what causes day and night?
Use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky
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Check understanding
- Explain that the Earth rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours
- Describe how this rotation causes day (facing the sun) and night (facing away)
- Explain that the sun appears to move across the sky because we are rotating, not the sun
“Can your child explain that the sun doesn't actually move across the sky — it's the Earth spinning that makes it look like it does, and that's what causes day and night?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Space Systems & Earth's History
- Age range
- Ages 9–11
Standards