Chapter 3 Lesson 2, "The Earth's Movement in Space"

Materials:

• Worksheet, "The Earth's Movement in Space"

Objective:

• Students will describe the movement of the earth around the sun.
• Students will explain how the earth's revolution and the tilt of its axis cause season.

Anticipatory Set:*

Students will view the a bit of a DVD that explains seasons.

Teacher Input:*Teacher will show several slide from the introductory lesson refreshing the students memory on the difference between revolution and Rotation. Teacher will then use slide from lesson 1 which explain the rotation of the earth and how seasons are caused by the revolution of the earth around the sun along with its tilt on its axis. During the discussion the teacher will have one student be the sun. That student will stand up in the middle of the room. Another volunteer student will then be the earth. The sun will stand in the middle of the room. The earth will stand on the outer edge and put on arm upward slightly toward the door. The other downward away from the door. Ask which hand will be warmer. The Earth will then move 1/4 of the way around the room. Which is warmer now? Move another 1/4 of the way around the room still keeping the same had tilting toward the door. Which is warmer now? Finally the student will finish.

During the summer is the Earth closer to the sun? (read science myth at the bottom of page 61

Guided Practice:* Work through the questions on the bottom of Page 62 with the students.

Independent Practice:* Students will complete the worksheet, "The Earth's Movement in Space"

Check for Understanding:* Students will take the quiz on Chapter 3 Lesson2.

Duration:

30 minutes + 10-15 for Independent Practice (Could be longer if taken for homework).

Alaska Content Standards Addressed in this lesson:

• SCI A-15 Students will use science to understand and describe the local environment (Local Knowledge); and:
• SCI B- 2. Students will design and conduct scientific investigations using appropriate instruments
• SCI B- 3. Students will understand that scientific inquiry often involves different ways of thinking, curiosity, and the exploration of multiple paths.
• SCI D- 4. evaluate the scientific and social merits of solutions to everyday problems;