The Sun gives us light and heat during the day. At night we can see the Moon and stars. Year 1 scientists find out why we have day and night and learn to stay safe in the sunshine.
What your child will learn
- Know that the Sun is a star that gives us light and heat
- Know that the Earth spinning gives us day and night
- Know that the Moon reflects light from the Sun
- Know never to look straight at the Sun
Why do we have day and night?
The Earth spins round once every day. When our side faces the Sun it is daytime; when it turns away it is night. The Sun seems to rise in the morning and set in the evening, but really it is the Earth that is turning.
The Moon doesn’t make its own light. It shines because sunlight bounces off it.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. True or false? The Sun is very, very hot.
Show answer
Answer: True. The Sun is a giant ball of hot, glowing gas.
2. When do owls and bats usually come out?
🦉- At lunchtime
- In the morning
- Never
- At night
Show answer
Answer: At night. Owls and bats are active at night.
3. The Sun is a…
- moon
- star
- planet
- cloud
Show answer
Answer: star. The Sun is a star — the closest one to Earth.
Tips for grown-ups
- Use a torch as the Sun and a ball as the Earth: spin the ball slowly to show day and night.
- Look at the Moon each evening for a week and draw its shape.
- Talk about sun safety: hats, sun cream and never looking at the Sun.