Using a Model – What Causes Day and Night

Adams uses models to demonstrate what causes day and night. Her explanation is simple enough for a young student to understand, yet provides enough information to engage the advanced studen... See More

Adams uses models to demonstrate what causes day and night. Her explanation is simple enough for a young student to understand, yet provides enough information to engage the advanced student as well. Also included was a discussion on measuring time with the sky, which helps students understand the importance of the tilt of the axis. While the lesson is laid out in what appears to be a single day format, in reality, it took 2 days with the 3rd grade students I worked with. I kept each of the concepts separate and then asked the students how the two ideas fit together. The questions provided were great starting points, and the adaptations and extensions were useful for students at higher levels.

The Sun is Outside

Ms. Adams has outlined a simple, but interesting, lesson to be used with students in grades K-3 to help them understand that the Earth rotates every 24 hours to create night and day. Student... See More

Ms. Adams has outlined a simple, but interesting, lesson to be used with students in grades K-3 to help them understand that the Earth rotates every 24 hours to create night and day. Students get to go outside several times on the day of the lesson, to observe and record their observations of where the sun is in the sky each time. They use stationary objects--houses, trees, other buildings--to observe then record where the sun hits each object at different times during the day. The lesson includes a materials list, stated objectives, and connections to national standards.

Learning 0bservation skills

Barbara Adams, you through an observational activity used with k-3 students to observe and describe the path in which the Sun appears to move across the sky at various times of the day. Stu... See More

Barbara Adams, you through an observational activity used with k-3 students to observe and describe the path in which the Sun appears to move across the sky at various times of the day. Students are asked to draw what they experienced and describe their models in the drawing. Doing this activity with your students during each season and discussing sun's position and changes will help with beginning understanding of seasons.