5th Grade Science Lesson

Sundial Scientists: Earth's Rotation, Shadows, and Day/Night Cycles

Shared by A STEM Educator

5th GradeThinking Classroom5-ESS1-2, 5-ESS1-145 min

Learning Objective

Students will model how Earth's rotation on its axis causes predictable changes in shadow direction and length throughout the day, and use shadow angle data to calculate Earth's rotation speed of 15 degrees per hour.

Lesson Overview

Students progress from tracing a single gnomon shadow to graphing shadow angles across time, ultimately calculating Earth's rotation rate and predicting global time zones using sundial calibration logic.

Materials

Vertical whiteboards (VNPS) or large chart paper
Dry-erase markers (multiple colors)
Random grouping cards
Meter sticks or rulers
Chalk and outdoor pavement (or large paper for indoor simulation)
Pencils and student note sheets
Globe with a small clay gnomon attached
Flashlight or lamp for indoor simulation
Protractors
Graph paper

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1

A vertical stick (gnomon) is placed outside at 9:00 AM. Its shadow points NORTHWEST and is 80 cm long. Draw this setup on your whiteboard: show the stick, the shadow, and label which direction the Sun must be in the sky. Use a compass rose to show N, S, E, W.

2Task 2

The same gnomon is observed at three times. Complete the shadow direction table on your whiteboard:

Time	Shadow Direction	Sun's Position
9 AM	Northwest	?
12 PM (noon)	North	?
3 PM	Northeast	?

What pattern do you notice about how the shadow direction changes across the day?

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