Lesson Note for BST – Basic Science, Third (3rd) Term (Week 6) | (Scientific Method/Approach of Lesson Delivery)
The Earth Rotates On Its Axis
Subject: Basic Science
Grade: Primary 5
Topic: The Earth Rotates on Its Axis
Driving Question
How does the rotation of the Earth affect day and night?
Pupils Should Be Able To:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain what it means for the Earth to rotate.
- Demonstrate how the Earth’s rotation causes day and night.
- Describe the direction of the Earth’s rotation.
- State how long it takes the Earth to complete one rotation.
Hypothesis
If the Earth rotates on its axis, then different parts of the Earth will face the Sun at different times, causing day and night.
Investigation (Activity/Demonstration)
Materials: A globe or ball, a flashlight (representing the Sun), a dark room
Steps:
- Place the flashlight on a table to represent the Sun.
- Darken the room so the flashlight is the only light source.
- Hold the globe and slowly rotate it from west to east (left to right when viewed from above the North Pole).
- Watch how different parts of the globe face the flashlight (Sun) and how other parts are in darkness.
- Note what happens when the globe completes a full turn.
Observation
- As the globe turns, only the side facing the flashlight is lit (daytime), while the opposite side is dark (nighttime).
- When a specific point on the globe moves away from the light, it moves into darkness.
- It takes one complete turn (rotation) for the same point to face the light again.
Discovery
The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. This rotation causes different parts of the Earth to face the Sun or turn away from it, resulting in day and night.
Conclusion
The Earth rotates from west to east on its axis every 24 hours. This rotation is what causes day and night. When your part of the Earth faces the Sun, it is day. When it turns away from the Sun, it is night.
References
- Basic Science Textbook for Primary 5
- National Curriculum for Basic Education
- NASA Space Place for Kids: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov