Curated OER
Climate and Topography, What Is the Connection?
Fourth graders study Neumann's world continent map and explore topography and climate.
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: The Shadow Knows I
Students examine the elevation of the sun to discover the changes in seasons. They observe and measure the length of their shadow. They compare this measurement to one taken four months later.
Curated OER
In-Line Inertia
Young scholars practice calculating the moment of inertia when discussing a skater and the position in which it is best to spin. After class discussion, students practice calculating inertia on their own.
Curated OER
CHARTING A COURSE
Students model how a gyroscope works with string, an old phonograph record and crayon.
Curated OER
The Path of the Sun, the Ecliptic
High schoolers are introduced to the ecliptic, the zodiac and the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.
Curated OER
The Path of the Sun: The Ecliptic
Students investigate the celestial sphere and the paths it takes in the solar system.
Harvard University
Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground: The Earth's Rotation
Plenty of cool activities about the Earth's rotation can be found here, such as tracing shadows, observing shadows during different times of the day, and tracking the sun's path in the sky to understand the rotation of the earth.
NASA
Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory: Ocean Tides and the Earth's Rotation
An explanation of the effect that the tides have on the Earth's rotation.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation
This kinesthetic activity will demonstrate concepts like rotation and orbit, clarify movement and direction, and help young scholars understand why earthlings see different things in the sky.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Rotation of Earth
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How the Earth rotates around its axis.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Rotation of Earth
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How the Earth rotates around its axis.
NASA
Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Speed of Earth's Rotation
Presents an informative answer to the question "What is the speed of the turning of the Earth?"
Beacon Learning Center
Beacon Learning Center: As the Earth Turns
Join Audrey on her learning adventure as she discovers how the Earth's rotation causes day and night.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Mediterranean Sea: How Long Does It Take for the Earth to Go Around the Sun?
Learn about the Earth's revolution and rotation in this module.
NASA
Nasa: Eclipse Predictions and Earth's Rotations
An insightful website from NASA that presents a series of different questions about the rotation of the Earth.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Our Solar System: A Day on Earth
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on how the Earth's tilt on its axis, its rotation, and its orbit around the Sun give us a 24-hour day, a 365-day year, and our seasons.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Earth and Sun
A slideshow exploring Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun. Learn that because of Earth's axis tilt we experience the seasons!
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What if the Earth Stopped Spinning?
Michael Stevens of Vsauce looks at what would happen if the Earth stopped spinning. He also explores how we construct time as a function of the Earth's rotation and why atomic clocks are so precise. [9:44]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Seasons: Earth's Orbit
[Free Registration/Login Required] An interactive animation demonstrating the Earth's tilted axis and how that causes the seasons. Also included on the site is a short quiz on the topic.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Modeling Earth's Seasons by Rotation and Revolution
In this lesson plan, students will discuss, define, and demonstrate the Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun in a counterclockwise position. They will be able to predict seasons based on the amount of light that hits the Earth.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Earth Science: Earth's Motion in Space
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses the motion of the Earth with its day and night cycle, the seasons, the Earth's orbit around the Sun, and its year-long cycle.
Project Britain
Primary Homework Help: Earth and Space Quiz
This resource provides information about Earth and space. In addition, there is a quiz provided.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Matter of Degrees: Tilt of Earth's Axis Affects the Seasons
In this science fair project, use a globe and a heat lamp to investigate how the angle of the Sun affects global warming. This project includes the objective, background questions, a list of all the materials you'll need, and the...
Other
Precession of a Gyroscope and of the Earth's Axis
Describes and calculates the precession of a gyroscope and also discusses the precession of the Earth's axis. Includes several pictures, diagrams, formulas, and details.