6th - 8th Grade Module 11 Concept 1

Cycle 1

How does the position and movement of the Earth affect day and night on Earth?
Cycle Summary

In this cycle, students will build on their learning from fifth grade. Students observed patterns of day and night, and the relationship between seasons and the amount of daylight hours a location receives. (5.ESS1.B.1 and 5.ESS1.B.2) (Unit 23 of MySci).

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Approximate Timeline: 10 Sessions
Session 1
Elicit

Students complete a Keeley style probe about the factors that cause day and night.

Engage

Students will view a video of sunrise and sunset and record their observations.

Explore

Students will model Earth’s rotation on its axis to determine what causes day and night to occur in the eastern and western hemispheres.

Session 2
Explain

Students will participate in an kinesthetic activity to demonstrate the counterclockwise rotation of Earth. Students will read and watch a video to find evidence that will defend a claim about Earth’s counterclockwise rotation.

Session 3
Elaborate

Students will calculate and graph yearly daylight hours for cities at different latitudes to determine the pattern for sunrise and sunset across the globe.

Session 4
Elaborate

Students will calculate and graph yearly daylight hours for cities at different latitudes to determine the pattern for sunrise and sunset across the globe.

Session 5
Evaluate

Students will explain their understanding of how Earth’s tilt and its movement affect night and day through an assessment.

Extend
Extend

Students will investigate how Earth’s rotation affects daily circadian rhythms and the evolution of biological clocks in plants and animals.