Science·Space Systems & Earth's History·conceptual
Earth's rotation and day/night
Use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is exploring our solar system and Earth's place in it — understanding how the Earth's rotation creates day and night, how planets orbit the sun, and how we can read Earth's history through rocks and fossils.
Evidence of understanding
- Explain that the Earth rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours
- Describe how this rotation causes day (facing the sun) and night (facing away)
- Explain that the sun appears to move across the sky because we are rotating, not the sun
Assessment prompt
Can Earth's rotation and day/night explain that the sun doesn't actually move across the sky — it's the Earth spinning that makes it look like it does, and that's what causes day and night?
Standards alignment
5-ESS1-2US · ngss-k5
5-ESS1-2
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5
Y5.Sci.ES.4GB · uk-nc-2013
Earth's rotation, day and night
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2