In this video, students learn about the causes of day and night. The resource illustrates the idea that as the Earth rotates, light from the sun hits different parts, giving us day and night. During its orbit, the Earth’s tilt on its axis also causes the two hemispheres to be different distances from the sun, and that gives us seasons.

Students will simulate the two motions of the earth, rotation and revolution. A discussion of questions and points to address during the activity will assist with the understanding of rotation and revolution.

Students will learn about the position of the sun and moon in the sky to develop an understanding of relative distances, the appearance of movement across the sky, and relate it to day and night, Earth's orbit, the spin of the Earth, and the visible shape of the moon.