Virginia SOL 1.6.b

Science1st GradeEarth and Space Systems

The Standard

the sun's relative position changes in the Earth's sky throughout the day.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students observe where the sun appears in the sky at different times of day. They compare its location with fixed objects and describe the pattern.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can sequence pictures of the sun from morning, midday, and late afternoon. They can explain that its position appears to change as the day passes.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the sun stays directly overhead all day or moves randomly. They may also confuse changes in position with changes in the sun’s size.
How to Assess It: Give students three sky pictures labeled morning, midday, and late afternoon. Ask them to draw the sun in a likely position in each picture.

Lesson moves

Mark a playground observation spot, then sketch the sun’s location relative to a tree or building three times during the day.
Ask students to write or discuss: How does the sun’s place in the sky look different before lunch and after lunch?
Give pairs morning, midday, and afternoon sun cards to sequence, then have them explain the order using position words.
Compare where sunlight enters a classroom window in the morning and afternoon, using sticky notes to mark the bright areas.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.6.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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