Elementary Science

Science Focus LessonSC.4.E.5.4Rotation

Polk County Public Schools

SC.4.E.5.4Benchmark: Relate that the rotation of

Earth (day and night) and apparent movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars are connected.

Essential Question:How does the movement of the Earth

affect what we see in the sky?

Vocabulary:rotation axisrevolution moon phases

Earth’s RotationRotation is a movement similar to a

spinning top

Rotations are PREDICTABLE and REGULAR

The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours

The Earth’s axis is an imaginary line that passes through Earth’s center from the North Pole to the South Pole

Apparent MovementEarth rotates from west to east on its axis.

This makes the sun, moon and stars look as though they are moving from east to west.

We say that the sun, moon, and stars rise in the east and set in the west. However…it is actually the Earth’s rotation that causes this apparent movement.

Click on Earth for a link

Day and NightEarth rotates on its axis once every 24

hours.

As the Earth spins on its axis, we are carried in and out of the sunlight that is always shining on half the planet. This is why we have day and night once every 24 hours.

Click on this link

SummarizingCollaborative Pairs:Partner A: Tell partner B one result of

the Earth’s rotationPartner B: Tell partner A another

result of the Earth’s rotation

Earth’s RevolutionA revolution is a complete trip around the

sun

One revolution equals a year

The Earth makes one revolution in 365 days

The path of a revolution is called an orbit, it’s shape is an ellipse (like a flattened circle)

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The Night Sky • Because of the Earth’s revolution we see different star patterns in different seasons

• Because of the Earth’s revolution we have four seasons

Moon’s MovementThe Moon’s movements are similar to

Earth’s movementsThe Moon rotates (spins) as it revolves

around the EarthThe moon’s rotation and revolution both

take about 28 daysThe shape of the moon appears to be

different as a result of the Moon’s movements which change the part of the moon that reflects light from the Sun to Earth. These are called Moon Phases

SummarizingCollaborative Pairs:Partner A: Tell partner B one result of

the Earth’s revolution around the Sun

Partner B: Tell partner A another result of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun

Guided Instruction:Talk to your shoulder partner about the answer to each question. Check your work.

Children all over the earth experience night and day. At the same moment, it can be morning in America and nighttime in China. What causes day and night?

A The tilt of the earth on its axisB The rotation of earth on its axisC The phases of the moonD The Sun revolving around the earth

The answer is BThe rotation of earth on its axis causes day and night. One rotation of Earth equals one day. At any time, half of Earth faces the sun. That half has daytime. At the same time, the other half of Earth faces away from the sun. That half has nighttime.

Guided Instruction:

Which of these is a result of the spinning of Earth on its axis?

A. The apparent motion of the Sun in the skyB. The motion caused by Earth’s revolutionC. The length of a yearD. The change from spring to summer

The answer is AThe apparent motion of the Sun in the sky is caused by the Earth’s rotation from west to east on its axis. This makes the sun look as if it were rising in the east and setting in the west.

Guided Instruction:

How long does Earth take to rotate once?

A. 365 hoursB. 24 hoursC. 12 hoursD. 365 days

The answer is BEarth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. One rotation of Earth equals one day.

SummarizingStand and Share: In 30 sec. groups write answers to

the essential question Compile all of the answers on the

board

Essential Question:How does the movement of the Earth affect what we see in the sky?

Check Your UnderstandingWhat causes the phase of the Moon to

change each night during a 28 day period? 

A. The Moon changes its actual shape throughout the course of the month.

B. The alignment between the Earth, Moon, and Sun determines the amount of light reflected by the Moon.

C. The season of the year determines the phase of the Moon.

D. The closer the Moon is to Earth, the more light the Moon reflects.

Check Your UnderstandingKeisha wants to show Amy what happens

during one Earth day. Keisha holds a small globe representing Earth, and Amy holds a large ball representing the Sun. What should Keisha do to show Amy what happens during one Earth day? A. Keisha should move the globe in one complete

circle around Amy. B. Keisha should move the globe toward Amy and

then away from her. C. Keisha should slowly lift the globe above her head

and then lower it. D. Keisha should slowly spin the globe one complete

time about its axis.

Check Your UnderstandingCharles learned that Earth rotates on its

axis. What evidence supports the theory that Earth is rotating on its axis?

A. There is a day and a night. B. There are 365 days in each year. C. There are four phases of the Moon. D. There are different seasons of the year.

Check Your UnderstandingWhat evidence is there that the Earth is

revolving around the Sun?

A. There is day and nightB. The sun appears to rise in the east and set in

the westC. The moon cycles through its phases every 28

daysD. Different stars are visible in the night sky

during different seasons

Check Your Answers1. B2. D3. A4. D

In your science journal, write an answer to the essential question:

How does the movement of the Earth affect what we see in the sky?

Summary Question