Virginia SOL 4.6.a
The Standard
the motions of Earth, the moon, and the sun
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students distinguish rotation from orbit and identify which body rotates or travels around another. They describe Earth's daily rotation, Earth's yearly orbit, the moon's monthly motions, and the sun's rotation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can label motion arrows on a model or diagram and explain what each arrow shows. They connect Earth's rotation to day and night without claiming that the sun travels around Earth each day.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the sun circles Earth because it appears to cross the sky. They may also think the moon does not rotate, or confuse rotation with orbit.
How to Assess It
- Give students a blank Earth, moon, and sun diagram. Ask them to add motion arrows and label each motion as rotation or orbit.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place dot stickers on a globe and two foam balls, then have students model each body's rotation and orbit with arrows.
Ask students to write: If the sun seems to cross our sky, what is actually moving, and what evidence supports your claim?
Play a matching game with cards showing Earth rotation, Earth orbit, moon rotation, moon orbit, and sun rotation.
Compare local sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times from two dates, then explain how the changing times show motion.
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Printable 4.6.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 4.6.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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Related Standards
- 4.6.d
the relative size, position, age and makeup of Earth, the moon, and the sun.
- 6.3.c
the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon;
- 6.3
The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Key ideas include
- 4.6
The student will investigate and understand that there are relationships among Earth, the moon, and the sun. Key relationships include
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