📖

Sunrise and Sunset

The Sun in Our Sky

Day 93of 180
Week 19of 36
25Minutes
← Day 92Day 93 of 180Day 94 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Identify east and west directions

2

Understand the sun's daily path across the sky

3

Recognize God's design in daily patterns

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.”

— Psalm 19:1 (WEB)

God's amazing design of the sun's daily journey reveals His wonderful creation

📦 Materials Needed

  • Compass
  • Large piece of chart paper
  • Colored markers
  • Outdoor space for observation
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and ask them to share what they know about the sun's movement during the day. Explain that we'll explore how the sun moves across the sky.

💭 Review Question: Where have you seen the sun in the sky today?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how the sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west. Use a compass to show true east and west directions.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • The sun doesn't actually move - Earth rotates
  • Sun rises in east, moves across sky, sets in west
  • This pattern happens every day
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does the sun help us know what time of day it is?
  • Why do you think God made the sun move this way?
3Activity: Sun Path Tracking (7 min)
hands-on

Students will create a sun path chart by observing and marking the sun's position throughout the day.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Go outside with chart paper
  2. Mark the current sun position
  3. Check and mark sun's position every hour
  4. Draw an arc showing sun's path
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher helps mark sun positions

Challenge: Students track sun independently with parent help

4Closing (3 min)

Recap how God created a beautiful, predictable pattern of sunrise and sunset

📝 Review Questions:
  • In which direction does the sun rise?
  • In which direction does the sun set?
  • How does the sun help us during the day?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for creating the amazing sun and the beautiful patterns in Your creation. Help us notice Your wonderful design every day.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about how the sun creates shadows!

💎 Memory Verse

Genesis 1:16

“God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.”

— Genesis 1:16 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Sun and Moon Hand Motion

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Young children are learning to understand directional concepts and observe natural patterns

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use a compass to help child understand directions
  • Observe sun's path together throughout the day
  • Encourage curiosity about God's creation
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse east and west or not understand sun's apparent movement

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to point east and west, describe sun's path

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a sunrise/sunset drawing
  • Take photos of sky at different times
  • Read children's book about the sun

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 94 →Back to Science