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How fast does the Earth spin?
Spaceship Earth Unit | Lesson 1 of 5
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How fast does the Earth spin?

Spaceship Earth Unit | Lesson 1 of 5
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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DISCUSS:

How do we know the Earth is moving, and not the Sun?

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DISCUSS:

How fast is the Earth spinning? (How many miles or kilometers an hour?)

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planet


1 of 5

a large, round object in outer space that orbits a star
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axis


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an imaginary line that goes through the North Pole and South Pole of the Earth
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rotate


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to spin or turn around a central point, like the Earth around its axis
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model


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a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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circumference


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the distance around a circle
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Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 5

Earth & Space Patterns

Day, Night, & Earth's Rotation

5-ESS1-2

Activity Prep

Print Prep
THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON JULY 1, 2019. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this lesson, students come to understand that the setting Sun isn’t moving, the Earth is spinning. In the activity, Spinning Earth, students use their bodies as a kinesthetic model of the Earth to understand how the speed of the Earth’s spin affects the length of a day.
Preview activity
Number of students:

I have a Mystery Pack

Earth Map printout Print 30 copies
Sun Model printout Print 15 copies
Crayons
One needs to be yellow to color the Sun and the other should be a dark color such as purple, blue, or black. Colored pencils or markers will also work.
Details
60 crayons
Scissors
30 pairs
Sticker Labels (1" x 3")
Tape also works. We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom.
Details
120 labels
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students will need a partner for the activity.

All students will be standing up and spinning in place throughout the activity with a place to view their paper Sun model. We find that placing the Sun model on a desk and standing about a foot behind the desk works well.

If you have a lamp or bright light, you can also use this as a model for the Sun. Just remind students NOT to look directly at the bulb.

Exploration

15 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

Grade 5

Earth & Space Patterns

Day, Night, & Earth's Rotation

5-ESS1-2

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