CURRICULUM RESOURCES

Year 3 | Earth and space sciences | Spinning in space

What causes day and night? The rising of the Sun and the Moon are daily reminders of the awe and wonder, beauty and power of the universe. Studying the relationships between the Sun, Earth and Moon helps us understand how we experience day and night on Earth. It also helps us understand directions in terms of North, South, East and West, how time is based on the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky and how time can be determined using a sundial.

The Spinning in space unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. Students explore the sizes, shapes, positions and movements of the Sun, Earth and Moon. They investigate how shadows change throughout the day and link these changes to the Sun's apparent movement across the sky. Students role-play the movements of the Earth in relation to the Sun and Moon. Through investigations, they explain day and night in terms of the Earth spinning on its axis.

** It is recommended that Light Fantastic be taught before Spinning in space to provide students with learning opportunities that introduce and explain concepts about light which are used in the Spinning in space unit.

Unit at a glance (PDF)
Equipment lists (PDF)
Indigenous curriculum links (PDF)
Indigenous Perspectives framework (PDF)
Indigenous Perspectives Teaching and learning guide
Factual and narrative texts
Useful websites