From previous discussions and reading, students should
have a basic understanding of the concepts of rotation (spin)
and revolution (orbit).
for playground drawing (blue, yellow, orange, red)
Earths diameter is about 7,926 miles and the diameter
of the Sun is about 865,400 miles.
scale of the Earth to the Sun (in diameter) is approximately
109 to 1.
is 93,000,000 miles from the Earth.
all parts of the Sun rotate at the same speed. At its equator
it takes 27 days for the Sun to complete one rotation.
Near its poles, the rotation period is as much as 31 days.
Earth rotates once every 24 hours (one day) and it takes
365 days (one year) for the Earth to revolve around the
direction of rotation and revolution as seen from above
with North up is counterclockwise.
the following Internet solar resource:
15 minutes to locate materials and print out wraparound map
and work sheets.
Playground Model" Work
View Completed Student Work Sheets
will learn that:
Earth rotates or spins on its axis.
Sun rotates or spins on its axis.
Earth revolves or orbits around the Sun.
motion of the Sun and Earth are cyclical.
In the classroom
an area where students can draw on the playground surface
and divide students into small groups.
one group to draw a large Sun on the blacktop (a circle,
2 feet in diameter, filled with yellow, orange or red chalk).
a second group to draw the Earth (a circle, 10-inches in
diameter, filled with blue chalk). Note: Sizes are not to
another group draw the Earths orbit around the Sun
with blue chalk (orbit should be at least 10 feet in diameter).
Note: Sizes do not represent the actual scale of the Earth-Sun
one student to act as the Earth and one student to act as
the Sun. If you are using the wraparound world map, tape
it around the Earth student.
that the Sun is at the center of the solar system and that
it rotates approximately once every 27 days. Explain that
it is a cycle. Ask the Sun how he or she should
move. Ask, Is this fast or slow?
turn the Sun to demonstrate rotation. The Sun
should spin slowly in
a counterclockwise direction while
standing in one spot.
that the Earth also rotates in a cycle. The rotation is
completed once every 24 hours. Ask, Is the Earth faster
or slower than the Sun? They should answer, faster
than the Sun. Ask the Earth how he or
she should move.
the Earth as it moves along the lined orbit
to demonstrate rotation and revolution. Note that the Earth
should rotate and revolve in a counterclockwise direction.
This is not a race and the rate of speed is constant and
that it takes an entire year for the Earth to complete its
orbit around the Sun. Ask students, "How many times
has the Earth revolved around the Sun since you were born?"
your characters moving in rotation/revolution.
the Sun and Earth roles to another
set of students and repeat the rotation/revolution.
the conclusion ask students, Which role was the hardest
to play, and why?" Take a vote. Generally, students
will respond the Earth since it rotates and
to the classroom and distribute the work sheets for students
Use the "Motion Playground
Model" work sheet to assess what students have learned
from this activity.
related books and websites.