Year 5 - Science
Why the Sun appears to move across the sky
Earth, Sun and Moon
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers the movement of the Earth, moon, and planets, describing them as spherical bodies. It explains Earth's rotation, causing day and night, and the sun's apparent movement. Emphasis is on recording complex data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky.
Key Notes
- It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun
- From Earth, the Sun looks like it moves across the sky in the daytime
- From Earth, the Sun looks like it disappears at night
- The Sun does not actually move around Earth, rather it is Earth that rotates on its axis
- We can observe shadows changing throughout the day because Earth is rotating
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may believe that the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Sun moves around Earth
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun. From Earth, the Sun looks like it moves across the sky in the daytime.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'Sun'
The Sun is a star and the centre of our solar system. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may believe that the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Sun moves around Earth. Correction: 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.
More Lessons In This Unit
- How we see the Moon from Earth Study Guide
- More about the Sun (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Observing the Moon Study Guide
- Scientific theories from the past (non-statutory) Study Guide
- The movement of the Moon Study Guide
- The movement of the planets around the Sun Study Guide
- The planets in our solar system (non-statutory) Study Guide
- The relative sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon (non-statutory) Study Guide
- The shape of Earth Study Guide
- The shape of objects in space Study Guide
- Why we have day and night Study Guide
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