Day and night
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why we have day and night and what lines of longitude are.
Key learning points
- Day and night result from Earth's rotation in relation to sun, which appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
- Lines of longitude are all the same length, and give our position in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian.
- The Prime Meridian (0˚longitude) runs through London; the Antimeridian (180˚ longitude) runs through the Pacific Ocean.
Keywords
Globe - A globe is a map of Earth on a sphere.
Rotation - A rotation is a complete circular movement of an object around a fixed point or an axis.
Longitude - Lines of longitude are imaginary lines on Earth showing position east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees.
Latitude - Lines of latitude are Imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.
Axis - An axis is an imaginary straight line through Earth which rotates around it.
Common misconception
Children may not know that light travels in straight lines, this mans they would not understand why half of the Earth is always in darkness.
Use a globe and torch in a dark room to demonstrate that only the side of the globe facing the torch will receive light. The other half remains in darkness.
Teacher tip
To demonstrate night and day you could use a globe and torch.
Equipment
Devices to access digital map on the internet or an atlas.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the Equator?
Q2.The Equator is a line ...
Q3.Imaginary lines that run from pole to pole are called ...
Q4.Which of these are true for lines of latitude?
Q5.The UK is in the Hemisphere.
Q6.Order the five major lines of latitude from north to south.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Lines of are imaginary lines on Earth showing position east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees.
Q2.Lines of are imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.
Q3.Match the keyword to its definition.
a map of Earth on a sphere
an imaginary straight line through Earth which rotates around it
a complete circular movement of an object around a fixed point
Q4.Earth is constantly rotating on its axis, making one full rotation every hours.
Q5.When viewed from the North Pole, the Earth rotates .
Q6.Which is the correct statement?
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: Day and night, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: Day and night, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the Time zones: can we time travel on planet Earth? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.