Objectives (5 minutes)

1. Understand the concept of the Earth's rotation and how it influences the position of the Sun in the sky, as well as the shadow effect that it produces throughout the hours of the day.

2. Observe and interpret the changes in the direction and length of the shadows throughout the day, relating these changes to the position of the Sun in the sky.

3. Develop skills of observation and recording, through the observation of shadows throughout the day.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To stimulate the students' critical and scientific thinking, encouraging them to ask questions and seek answers through observation and experimentation.

2. To promote learning through practice, by providing opportunities for students to apply the learned concepts.

3. To reinforce the importance and applicability of Science in the students' daily lives, showing how the topics studied in class connect to their lives.

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Review of previous content:

   • The teacher reviews the concept of day and night and the rotation of the Earth, and how it causes alternation between day and night.

2. Problem situations:

   • The teacher asks the students the following to stimulate their curiosity:
     • Why does the shadow of a lamp post change position during the day?
     • Why is the shadow of a tree long in the morning, short at noon, and long again in the afternoon?

3. Contextualization:

   • The teacher connects the content with real life situations. For example, understanding the movement of the Sun and its shadows can assist in better estimating time or getting a better orientation.

4. Gain attention:

   • The teacher can share fun facts to engage and arouse the students' interest.
     • The history about how the Egyptians used obelisks as "sundials".
     • That the way in which shadows move is dependent on the location, on opposite sides of the globe the movement may be inverse.

5. Introduction to the topic:

   • The teacher introduces the lesson by explaining that they will learn about how the position of the Sun in the sky alters throughout the day, and how this impacts the direction and size of shadows.

Development (25 minutes)

1. Theory - Movement of the Earth and positions of the Sun (10 minutes):

   • The teacher explains how the rotation of the Earth is a major factor in alternating between day and night.
   • Further explanation on that the Earth has a movement on its own axis, a rotation, that goes from the west to the east.
   • The Sun appears to move through the sky, but the Earth is actually rotating, causing the illusion. This rotation creates the perception that sunrise happens in the east and sunset in the west.

2. Theory - Shadow and the position of the Sun (10 minutes):

   • The concept of shadow is discussed, defined as an area devoid of light due to an object blocking it.
   • The relation between the position of the Sun and shape of shadows; shadows tend to be larger at dawn, dusk and smaller at midday.
   • The analogy provided about a lamp is an interesting way to help the students understand the formation of different size shadows.

3. Practical Activity - Shadow Observations (5 minutes):

   • The students engage in a practical exercise by observing and recording how the shadow of an object moves throughout the day. The activity may occur outdoors or through a virtual simulation.
     • The students select a fixed object (like a tree) and draw the shape of its shadow at several different moments. Then the students register their observations.
     • It is imperative to remind the children to never gaze directly at the sun.
     • The students will learn how to observe, analyze data collected, and extract information from it, much the same way as a scientist would.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Group discussion (5 minutes):

   • After the activity has ended, the students are asked to share and discuss with the whole group their observations.
   • Each group shares their results with the class and discusses the changes that occurred throughout the day.
   • Guided discussion, reinforcing the theoretical content covered in the lesson's beginning and clarifying any doubts that may still persist.

2. Theoretical Connection (3 minutes):

   • The teacher revisits the lesson to emphasize the connection between the practical exercise and the theoretical content learned.
   • The teacher reviews what has been learned, ensuring the students have understood that the movement of the Earth determines how long and in which direction a shadow falls.

3. Reflection on Learning (2 minutes):

   • The teacher prompts a reflection on what was learned.
     • "Which content of today's class did you find the most captivating?"
     • "How do you see yourself employing today's lesson in real life scenarios?"
   • Questions that aid the teacher in gauging the effectiveness of the lesson, and help the students connect the lesson content to their lives outside of the classroom.

This closes the lesson's cycle, starting with the introduction of concepts, moving through content development, practical activities, and concluding by discussing and evaluating the results found.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Summary:

   • The teacher summarizes the main concepts covered during the class: Earth's rotation, how this affects the Sun, and ultimately the creation of shadows.
   • It's reinforced how the length and direction of a shadow depends on the position of the Sun.
   • The movement of the Sun is only perceived as such because of our position and the rotation of the Earth.

2. Reflecting the connection between theory and practice:

   • Connection between learned and applied theory.
   • Emphasizes how the shadow activity allowed students to experience the real effects of theoretical concepts.

3. Suggestion for additional materials:

   • Additional books and educational sites about the solar system are shared.
   • Encouraged to continue shadow recording and observation as reinforcement.

4. Importance of learning in everyday life:

   • The teacher stresses the practical applications of the knowledge acquired.
   • The lesson's content is connected to how ancient people built their sundials.

By the end of the exercise, students will understand better the connection between the rotation of the planet and the Sun's position, resulting in shadow creation, and how all this applies to daily experiences. It will have promoted the development of critical thinking and observation skills, which are essential in Science.