Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to create a working sundial clock using only natural materials.

Materials and Prep

• A stick or dowel
• A small rock or pebble
• A sunny outdoor location
• A watch or clock to keep track of time

Before starting the lesson, make sure you have a basic understanding of how the Earth rotates and causes the movement of the sun throughout the day.

Activities

1. Find a sunny outdoor spot where you can place your sundial.
2. Push the stick or dowel into the ground, making sure it stands upright and doesn't wobble.
3. Place the small rock or pebble at the base of the stick, creating a shadow on the ground.
4. Observe the position of the shadow and mark it with a small object, such as another pebble or a twig.
5. Every hour, go back to your sundial and mark the new position of the shadow.
6. Record the time next to each shadow mark.
7. After a few hours, observe how the shadow has moved and compare it to the time on your watch or clock.

Second Grade Talking Points

• "Did you know that the Earth spins on its axis? This spinning motion is what causes the sun to appear to move across the sky."
• "When we make a sundial, we can use the shadow it creates to tell the time."
• "The shadow moves because the sun appears to move across the sky as the Earth rotates."
• "The height and direction of the shadow change throughout the day because of the sun's position in the sky."
• "By marking the shadow's position at different times, we can see how the Earth's rotation affects the sun's apparent movement."
• "Remember, the shadow moves from east to west as the day progresses."
• "The shadow will be longest in the morning and evening when the sun is lower in the sky."
• "When the shadow is shortest, it means the sun is directly overhead at noon."