Day and Night

Student Slides

Movements in Space Vocabulary

• Revolution – the circling of an object in space around another object in space

• Orbit – the path a planet or moon takes during its revolution

• Rotation – the turning of an object around an axis

Day and Night Simulation

Watch the following day and night simulator. As you watch think about:- The patterns that you notice.- How you can tell when it is noon in Utah.- How you can tell when it is sunset in Utah.- How you can tell when it is sunrise in Utah.- How long it takes for one full day/night cycle.

Darkness at Night Probe

Four friends were wondering why the sky is dark at night. This is what they said:

Amir: The clouds come in at night and cover the Sun.

Talia: The Earth spins completely around once a day.

Beth: The Earth moves around the Sun once a day.

Nick: The Sun moves around the Earth once a day.

Which friend to you think has the best reason for why the sky is dark at night? Explain your reasoning and share your ideas about why the Earth is dark at night and light during the day.

Moon Phases

Student Slides

How are moon phases related to the Moon’s orbit of Earth?

Watch the simulation. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2503/es2503page01.cfm

Where is the moon in its orbit during a full moon?Where is the moon in its orbit during a new moon?

Going Through a PhaseMr. Smith asked his students to explain what causes the phases of the moon. This is what some of his students said:

• Mary: The Moon lights up in different parts at different times of the month.

• Sam: Parts of the Moon reflect light depending on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun and Moon.

• David: The Earth casts a shadow that causes a monthly pattern in how much of the Moon we can see from Earth.

• Natalie: The clouds cover the parts of the Moon that we can’t see.

Which student do you agree with and why? Explain your thinking.

Seasons

Student Slides

Graphing Temperature Data

Graph the temperature changes throughout the year for each of the cities.

What patterns do you see?

Detroit Lakes, MNMonth Temp. in CJan. -14.1Feb. -9.2Mar. -2.1April 2.8May 10.6June 20.3July 19.3Aug 18.9Sept. 17.3Oct. 3.8Nov. -5.5Dec. -4.5

Quito, EcuadorMonth Temp. in CJan. 18.8Feb. 18.4Mar. 17.6April 16May 19.7June 17.1July 17.3Aug 17.6Sept. 18.4Oct. 18Nov. 18.3Dec. 16.7

Sandy Bay, AustraliaMonth Temp. in CJan. 18Feb. 17.5Mar. 17.9April 14.7May 12June 10.1July 11Aug 10.6Sept. 13.2Oct. 13.7Nov. 14.6Dec. 16

The Reason for the Seasons

1. Draw the diagram in your science notebook.

2. Label the months for each Earth based on what you have learned.

3. Complete this statement:

In Utah it is warmer in June than in December because _________________

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Seasons

Reason for the Seasons Rhyme:Length of daysAngle of rays…Nothing to do with how far away!

Answer the questions below after completing the activity.

Summer TalkA few friends were talking about why it is warmer in the summer. This is what they said:

• Wendy: It’s because the winter clouds block heat from the Sun.• Ava: The Sun gives off more heat in the summer than in the winter.• Raul: It is because the Earth’s tilt changes the angle of sunlight hitting

Earth.• William: It is because we are closer to the Sun in the summer than in the

winter.

Which student do you agree with and why? Explain your thinking.