Earth's Spin & Orbit
Understand that Earth moves in two ways: it rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours causing day and night, and it orbits (travels around) the Sun once every 365 days, which is one year
Typical age: 7–9 years
“Can your child explain that we have day and night because the Earth spins, and that a year is the time it takes Earth to go all the way around the Sun?”
0 / 3 mastered
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- The Moon's Orbit
Understanding orbits helps contextualise the Moon's orbit around Earth
- Seasonal ConstellationsREQUIRED
Must understand Earth's orbit before explaining why different constellations appear in different seasons
- Changing Ideas About SpaceREQUIRED
Must understand Earth's rotation and orbit before comparing geocentric vs heliocentric models
- Earth's rotation and day/night
Enrichment knowledge of Earth's rotation and orbit supports formal explanation of day/night cycle
- Gravity Pulls Things DownREQUIRED
Must understand Earth's orbit and rotation before understanding gravity as the force maintaining them