Overview

In this learning sequence students investigate the relative motion of Earth, the Moon and the Sun to explain day and night, seasons and tidal cycles. Through the use of models and simulations, students explore the movement of the Sun and the Moon across the sky and relate to Earth’s rotation and the position of Earth in orbit. Students also investigate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been observing the Moon and the Sun and using astronomical knowledge of the skies to predict changes in the environment, in seasons, weather patterns and in the behaviour of plants and animals, important in food collection. 

In these lessons, students will have opportunities to conduct a number of simple investigations and analyse data in graphs and tables. Students will develop an understanding of differences between observations and inferences as well as qualitative and quantitative data. 

Students are learning to:   

• identify natural objects that can be seen in the day and night skies 

• understand that the movement of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars across the sky is due to the rotation of Earth 

• describe the rotation of Earth, in an easterly direction (from west to east) 

• explain how the rotation of Earth causes day and night on Earth 

• distinguish between an observation and inference  

• compare the length of a day on Earth with other planets in our solar system  

• describe differences in seasonal patterns in Australia and between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere 

• understand that seasons are due to Earth’s tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun 

• explain each season in the Southern Hemisphere in terms of Earth’s position in its orbit around the Sun, identifying solstices and equinoxes 

• model the changing seasons  

• analyse weather data to identify trends and patterns 

• describe examples of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples mapped seasons 

• explain how tides are caused by the Sun and Moon and the rotation of Earth 

• describe examples of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ understanding of the phases of the Moon and changing tides have been used in hunting and gathering food 

• describe examples of Aboriginal seasonal calendars and how they are used.

Outcomes  

• SC4-1VA  appreciates the importance of science in their lives and the role of scientific inquiry in increasing understanding of the world around them 

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems 

• SC4-6WS follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually  

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions    

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations 

• SC4-12ES describes the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system 

• SC4-13ES explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management 

Students will:

• identify natural objects that can be seen in the day and night skies 

• understand that the movement of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars across the sky is due to the rotation of Earth 

• describe the rotation of Earth, as being from west to east 

• explain how the rotation of Earth causes day and night on Earth 

• explain why different locations on Earth experience day and night at different times 

• distinguish between an observation and inference  

• compare the length of a day on Earth with other planets in our solar system.

Outcomes:

• ES2 Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available. Some technological developments and scientific discoveries have significantly changed people's understanding of the solar system. 

• ES2a Students explain that predictable phenomena on the Earth, including day and night, seasons and eclipses are caused by the relative positions of the sun, the Earth and the moon

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems 

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions    

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations 

• SC4-12ES describes the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system 

• SC4-13ES explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management

Students will:

• describe differences in seasonal patterns in Australia 

• describe differences in seasonal patterns between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere 

• understand that seasons are due to Earth’s tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun 

• explain each season in the Southern Hemisphere in terms of Earth’s position in its orbit around the Sun 

• understand how the intensity of the Sun’s rays affect seasons 

• model the changing seasons  

• analyse weather data to identify trends and patterns.

Outcomes:

• ES2 Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available. Some technological developments and scientific discoveries have significantly changed people's understanding of the solar system. 

• ES2a Students explain that predictable phenomena on the Earth, including day and night, seasons and eclipses are caused by the relative positions of the sun, the Earth and the moon

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems 

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions    

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations 

• SC4-12ES describes the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system 

• SC4-13ES explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management

Students will:

• describe solstices and equinoxes 

• describe examples of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples mapped seasons 

• explain how tides are caused by the Sun and Moon and the rotation of Earth 

• describe examples of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ understanding of the phases of the Moon and changing tides have been used in hunting and gathering food 

• describe examples of Aboriginal seasonal calendars and how they are used  

Outcomes:

• ES2 Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available. Some technological developments and scientific discoveries have significantly changed people's understanding of the solar system. 

• ES2a Students explain that predictable phenomena on the Earth, including day and night, seasons and eclipses are caused by the relative positions of the sun, the Earth and the moon

• ES2b Students demonstrate, using examples, how ideas by people from different cultures have contributed to the current understanding of the solar system

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems

• SC4-6WS follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually 

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions    

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations 

• SC4-12ES describes the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system 

• SC4-13ES explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management