Earth's Orbit Around the Sun

Curriculum Area and Level

Subject: Science
Key Stage: KS1 (Year 2)
National Curriculum Link:

• Seasonal Changes: Observe and describe how day length varies and understand that the Earth orbits the Sun.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

• Understand that the Earth orbits the Sun.
• Recognise that this orbit takes one year to complete.
• Learn how this movement affects seasons and day length.

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Resources Needed

• A torch (representing the Sun)
• A globe or ball (representing the Earth)
• A small circular sticker for the UK
• A clear space for movement
• A stopwatch or timer

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Lesson Structure (15 Minutes)

1. Introduction – The Big Question (2 minutes)

Ask Pupils:
"Have you ever wondered why we have seasons?"
Encourage a quick brainstorm. Some may mention weather or holidays.

Explain:

• The Earth moves around the Sun.
• This journey takes one year (365 days).
• This movement changes the seasons and affects daylight hours.

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2. Interactive Demonstration – Be the Earth! (6 minutes)

1. Set the Scene:

   • Place the Sun (torch) in the middle of the classroom.
   • Hold up the Earth (globe or ball) and attach a small sticker where the UK is.

2. Demonstrate Orbit:

   • Choose a pupil to be the Earth and ask them to walk around the Sun slowly.
   • Emphasise: It takes a FULL year to go all the way around.

3. Link to Seasons:

   • As the pupil moves, ask the class: "Do you think the weather is the same all year?"
   • Stop them in different positions and explain how this affects seasons.
   • Shine the torch more directly on one area to show how sunlight affects temperature.

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3. Quick Class Movement Game – Spin & Orbit! (5 minutes)

1. Half the class will be ‘Earths’, the other half will be ‘Suns’.
2. Earths must spin slowly (Earth’s rotation) while also walking around a ‘Sun’.
3. After one full orbit, switch roles!
4. Challenge: Ask “How long did your orbit take?” (Answer: One Year!)

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4. Recap and Quickfire Questions (2 minutes)

• How long does the Earth take to orbit the Sun? (One Year!)
• Why do we have seasons? (Because of Earth’s movement around the Sun!)
• What happens to daylight in winter? (It gets shorter!)

Encourage pupils to look out for changing sunlight patterns at home!

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Assessment for Learning

How will you know they’ve understood?

✅ Pupils can explain why we have seasons.
✅ They understand that it takes one year for the Earth to orbit the Sun.
✅ When playing the movement game, they can demonstrate spinning and orbiting correctly.

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Extension Challenge (If Time Allows)

Teacher Question:

• “What do you think would happen if the Earth stopped moving?”
  Encourage creative predictions!

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WOW Factor & Engagement

This highly interactive lesson makes abstract space concepts physical and fun. By getting pupils moving, they become the planets and understand science actively rather than passively.

This creates memorable learning and ensures all 48 pupils stay engaged in a short, high-energy lesson.