New
New
Year 5

Why the Sun appears to move across the sky

I can explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky.

New
New
Year 5

Why the Sun appears to move across the sky

I can explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun
  2. From Earth, the Sun looks like it moves across the sky in the daytime
  3. From Earth, the Sun looks like it disappears at night
  4. The Sun does not actually move around Earth, rather it is Earth that rotates on its axis
  5. We can observe shadows changing throughout the day because Earth is rotating

Keywords

  • Sun - The Sun is a star and the centre of our solar system.

  • Earth - Earth is the planet on which we live.

  • Rotating - Earth is always rotating, this means it is spinning on its axis.

  • Shadow - A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks the light.

  • Observe - When we observe, we look closely and can use other senses too.

Common misconception

Children may believe that the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Sun moves around Earth

Provide plenty of opportunities for children to use models to see that it is Earth rotating that makes it look like the Sun is moving.

It is important to choose a sunny day for children to safely observe the position of the Sun at different times of the day. It would be difficult for them to make observations when it is particularly cloudy.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Solar viewers or glasses, torch (narrow beam), polystyrene ball, pencil, short stick (used match).

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Earth spins, or on its axis once every 24 hours.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: rotates, rotate, turns
Q2.
Which word do scientists use to describe the skill of looking at something very closely?
test
measure
Correct answer: observe
classify
Q3.
When light shines on an object outside during the day, a shadow can form. Where does the light come from?
An image in a quiz
A torch
Correct answer: The Sun
The Moon
Q4.
A person makes a shadow when they block light from the Sun because they are...
An image in a quiz
tall
heavy
smooth
Correct answer: opaque
transparent
Q5.
Which statement about shadows is true?
Correct answer: Shadows can be made indoors and outdoors.
Shadows can only be made outdoors.
Shadows can only be made indoors.
Q6.
Which unit would you use for measuring the length of a very short shadow?
Correct answer: millimetres
millilitres
minutes
miles

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following must be used to look at the Sun safely?
An image in a quiz
magnifying glasses
sunglasses
Correct answer: solar viewing glasses
Q2.
Which statement is correct for why the Sun appears to move across the sky during the day?
An image in a quiz
The Sun moves around Earth.
The Sun rotates on its axis.
Correct answer: Earth rotates on its axis.
Q3.
Match the time of day with where the Sun appears in the sky.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:morning or evening,low in the sky

low in the sky

Correct Answer:midday,above us

above us

Correct Answer:night,the Sun can not be seen

the Sun can not be seen

Q4.
From Earth, it looks like the Sun disappears every night. Which statement below is correct?
An image in a quiz
The Sun looks like it disappears because it only gives out light during the day.
The Sun looks like it disappears because it is covered by clouds at night.
Correct answer: The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins away from it.
The Sun looks like it disappears as Earth spins towards it.
Q5.
Which movement in space causes the shadows on Earth to change during a day?
An image in a quiz
The Sun rotating
Correct answer: Earth rotating
The Sun orbiting
Earth orbiting
Q6.
Match each time of day to the correct length of shadow.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:11 am,110 cm

110 cm

Correct Answer:12 noon,70 cm

70 cm

Correct Answer:5 pm,280 cm

280 cm

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