Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will understand how the Earth and the Sun interact to cause regular changes such as day and night, seasons, and how these interactions can lead to changes on the Earth's surface like weathering and erosion.
Materials and Prep
- Paper and colored pencils or crayons
- A large flat surface for drawing or writing
- Access to outdoor space for observation
- Knowledge of basic Earth and Sun facts (like the Earth rotates and revolves around the Sun)
Activities
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Day and Night Model: Create a simple model using a ball (Earth) and a flashlight (Sun). Shine the flashlight on one side of the ball to represent day, and turn the ball to show how the other side experiences night. This helps visualize how the Earth rotates.
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Seasons Wheel: Draw a large wheel divided into four sections, each representing a season (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). Color each section and label them with characteristics of each season. Discuss how the tilt of the Earth affects seasons.
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Weathering and Erosion Exploration: Go outside and find examples of weathering and erosion (like rocks, soil, or plants). Discuss how these processes change the Earth's surface over time. Draw what you observe.
Talking Points
- "Did you know that the Earth spins like a top? This is why we have day and night!"
- "The Earth goes around the Sun in a big circle called an orbit. It takes one year to complete this orbit!"
- "The tilt of the Earth is why we have different seasons. When the North Pole tilts towards the Sun, it's summer here!"
- "Weathering is when rocks break down into smaller pieces. This can happen because of wind, rain, or even ice!"
- "Erosion is when those small pieces of rock get moved away by water, wind, or ice. This can change the shape of our land!"