Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Positions of the Sun and Shadow

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to provide a clear and objective overview of the goals that the lesson intends to achieve. This will help guide the teacher and students on what will be covered, ensuring that everyone knows the focus of the content and the skills that will be developed throughout the lesson.

Main Objectives

1. Understand that the Earth rotates around its own axis, causing the alternation between day and night.

2. Identify how the movement of the Earth influences the position of the sun in the sky throughout the day.

3. Observe and describe how shadows change in position and size at different times of the day.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to capture students' attention and create a scenario that contextualizes the theme of the lesson. By presenting the context clearly and relating it to their daily experiences, students will be more engaged and curious to understand how and why shadows change during the day.

Context

Start the lesson by explaining to students that every day, throughout the day, the position of the sun in the sky changes and, with that, the shadows also change places and sizes. Ask if they have ever noticed how the shadow of a tree or a building gets longer or shorter depending on the time. Explain that this happens because of the Earth’s movement, which rotates around itself.

Curiosities

Did you know that shadows change in position and size throughout the day because the Earth is always rotating? This means that the sun 'moves' in the sky, but in reality, it is the Earth that is rotating! That's why in the morning, the shadow of a tree might be in one place, and in the afternoon in a completely different one!

Development

Duration: (40 - 45 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of the Earth's rotational movement and how it influences the position of the sun and shadows throughout the day. By addressing specific topics and providing visual and practical examples, students will be able to clearly and thoroughly understand how these phenomena occur. The proposed questions will help reinforce learning and check students' understanding of the content.

Covered Topics

1. Earth's Rotation Movement: Explain that the Earth spins on its own axis. Use a globe to demonstrate. Highlight that this rotation takes approximately 24 hours to complete and is responsible for the alternation between day and night. 2. Position of the Sun in the Sky: Detail how the position of the sun in the sky changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotational movement. Use images or diagrams to show the sun's apparent path from sunrise to sunset. 3. Change of Shadows: Discuss how shadows change in position and size throughout the day. Show practical examples and ask students to observe the shadows of objects in the classroom or in the schoolyard. Explain that in the morning and late afternoon shadows are longer, and at noon, when the sun is higher in the sky, shadows are shorter.

Classroom Questions

1. Why do shadows change in position and size throughout the day? 2. What causes the alternation between day and night on Earth? 3. How does the position of the sun in the sky influence the size of shadows?

Questions Discussion

Duration: (25 - 30 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the knowledge acquired by students during the lesson. By discussing the presented questions, the teacher can clarify doubts and reinforce important concepts. Additionally, involving students in reflections and additional questions helps stimulate critical thinking and the practical application of what has been learned.

Discussion

• Explain that shadows change in position and size throughout the day due to the Earth's rotational movement. When the Earth spins, the sun's position in the sky seems to change, causing variations in shadows. In the morning, when the sun is low on the horizon, shadows are long. At noon, when the sun is higher in the sky, shadows are shorter. In the afternoon, shadows extend again as the sun approaches the horizon.

• Detail that the alternation between day and night on Earth is caused by the Earth's own rotational movement. When one part of the Earth is facing the sun, it is daytime in that region. When that same part is facing away from the sun, it is nighttime.

• Discuss how the position of the sun in the sky influences the size of shadows. When the sun is low in the sky (in the morning and late afternoon), shadows are longer because the sunlight hits at a more inclined angle. When the sun is high in the sky (around noon), shadows are shorter because the sunlight hits almost perpendicularly to the ground.

Student Engagement

1. Why do you think shadows change size throughout the day? Can you give an example you have seen? 2. How would you explain to a friend why we have day and night? 3. If you were a scientist observing shadows throughout the day, what would you expect to see? Why? 4. How do you think knowledge about shadows can be useful in our daily lives?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to review and consolidate the main points covered in the lesson, ensuring that students fully understand the content. Additionally, by highlighting the practical connection and relevance of the topic, students can see the applicability of what they have learned in their daily lives, making learning more meaningful and interesting.

Summary

• The Earth rotates around its own axis, a movement called rotation, which lasts approximately 24 hours and causes the alternation between day and night.
• The position of the sun in the sky changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotational movement, which causes shadows to change in position and size.
• In the morning and late afternoon, shadows are longer because the sun is low on the horizon. At noon, shadows are shorter because the sun is higher in the sky.

The lesson connected theory with practice by using visual and practical examples, such as observing the shadows of objects in the classroom or schoolyard. This helped students to concretely understand how the Earth's rotational movement influences the position of the sun and shadows throughout the day.

Understanding how shadows change throughout the day is important for various everyday activities, such as knowing the best position to plant a tree or build a house, and even for recreational activities like playing in the park. Curiosity about the Earth's movement and its consequences also sparks scientific interest and observation of the natural world.