Mystery of the Moving Sun: A Sundial Adventure with Grade 1 Learners!

 

Have you ever wondered why the Sun seems to rise in the morning and set in the evening? 

Imagine a classroom buzzing with excitement as young minds embark on a captivating journey to understand the Sun's movements. This isn't a scene from a science fiction movie; it's a real-life learning experience of Grade-1 learners at  AIMEE International School led by the science team. The idea for this activity stemmed from a simple conversation with a colleague about engaging in activities to demonstrate the Earth's rotation and its impact on the sun's apparent movement. Inspired by this discussion, I embarked on planning an interactive session that would not only captivate the children's attention but also integrate various subjects seamlessly.

Sparking Curiosity by DIY Sundial:

Instead of a traditional lecture, we made a giant sundial using readily available materials: chart paper, cardboard, and a stick. – The moment I revealed our "Sun Sundial," the classroom buzzed with excitement.  "Is it a clock?" one student asked. "Are we going to learn about time?" another chimed in.  Their curiosity was officially piqued – the perfect starting point for our exploration.

From Observations to Understanding:

The activity unfolds organically. The students, with wide eyes, observe the stick casting a shadow on the chart paper. Savarni, a bright young scholar, recalls her science lessons and confidently explains how opaque objects like the stick block light, forming shadows. This observation sets the foundation for deeper understanding.

Connecting the Dots: Sun, Shadows, and Time:

Throughout the day, the class revisited the sundial. They observed how the shadow's position changed with time, marking morning, midday (introduced as "afternoon"), and evening on the chart paper. Nainika, demonstrating exceptional mathematical skills, emphasized writing "9 a.m." for morning and "4:00 p.m." for evening.

Beyond the Sundial: A Lesson in Teamwork and Perspective:

The learning extended beyond the sundial. Students stood around a large circle marked on the ground. As the sun moved across the sky, their shadows fell at different points. It took three people to form a single shadow in the morning, compared to seven in the afternoon. This activity fostered teamwork and observation skills, allowing them to compare shadow lengths and relate them to the time of day.

The Earth Takes the Stage!

Now, here's where things got interesting.  Playing devil's advocate, I suggested that the Sun was moving across the sky.  But these clever students, armed with knowledge from other subjects, were quick to correct me!  They confidently explained concepts like gravity and the solar system, learned in their science lessons.  To solidify their understanding, they even used the analogy of a merry-go-round – just like we feel the world move while riding, it's actually the merry-go-round (Earth) that's rotating!

The Learning Continues: Measuring and Comparing

The final act involved measuring shadow lengths. Students discovered that evening shadows were the longest, further reinforcing their grasp of the Sun's changing position throughout the day.

A Day Filled with Discovery!

This engaging activity allowed the students to actively participate in their learning. They observed, questioned, discussed, and made connections between the movement of the Sun, shadows, time, and different parts of the day.

Beyond the Classroom Walls:

This "Mystery of the Moving Sun" activity is a testament to the power of inquiry-based learning.  By using simple, readily available materials and transforming the classroom into a playground for discovery, we sparked a love for science and exploration in these young minds.  Who knows, maybe one day, these curious learners will be the ones unlocking the secrets of the universe!

Few Pointers that I kept in mind for this Stellar Lesson:

Let Curiosity Lead the Way: Embrace inquiry-based learning and let the children's curiosity guide the exploration.

A Symphony of Subjects: Integrate English, Mathematics, and Global Perspectives for a holistic learning experience especially in the early years of learning. 

Simple yet effective tools: Utilize readily available materials to enhance learning.

Embrace collaboration: Encourage teamwork and discussion.

Challenge and Celebrate: Use playful challenges to question preconceived notions and celebrate discoveries.