The Sun and Its Neighbors

Lesson 1 – Rotation vs. Revolution

SOL 4.7a.1

Link
Students will complete the R.A.P. Briefly share R.A.P. responses.

Engage and Educate

Go over W.O.W. definitions. Have students draw pictures for rotation and revolution (see examples in the
answer key).

As a whole class, model the movement of rotation and revolution using the following:
Rotation: Have students stand and turn in place in a counterclockwise motion. The student will represent
a planet (the Earth) rotating.
Revolution: Either the teacher or a student should stand in the center of the room, representing the Sun.
Have students stand in a large circle around the perimeter of the classroom (they represent planets).
Students should now walk slowly in a counterclockwise direction around the Sun.
*After students have modeled both rotation and revolution, have students rotate while revolving. Make
sure they go very slowly!

Background Notes:
• A large body that revolves around the sun is called a planet.
• If something revolves around a planet, it is called a moon (satellite).
• Fun fact: 100 Earth-sized planets would fit across the diameter of the sun.
Active Learning
Have students complete W.I.O. Students may use the W.O.W. information to compare revolution and
rotation on the T-chart.
Reflect
Have students get into groups of 4 and share T-charts, filling in any missing information. Then, as a whole
class review rotation and revolution.
Now and Then

In the next lesson, students will learn the causes for the Earth’s seasons.

Teacher Materials

Additional Notes
Additional pictures may be found on http://www.nasa.gov.

Created by Tracy Foster & Sarah Alani, Brookfield ES, 2006