The Sun

The Sun

Auto-markingPencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about  day and night

Question

sunrise
 
a)  Here is a picture of the Sun rising.
     When would you most likely see the Sun rising?   (Select one)

    • 6:30 in the morning

    • 9:30 in the morning

    • 5:30 in the afternoon

    • 10:00 at night

Question

sunset
 
b)  Here is a picture of the Sun setting.
     When would you most likely see the Sun setting? (Select one)

    • 6:00 in the morning

    • 2:00 in the afternoon

    • 7:00 at night

    • 11:00 at night

Question

c)  Which one of these diagrams shows how it would be day and night on Earth? (Select the diagram)

    • sun shining on the earth

    • sun shining on the earth

    • sun shining on the earth

    • sun shining on the earth

Task administration: 
This task can be completed using pencil and paper or online with auto-marking.
 
Copyright: 
sunrise
Paul Brennan, (c) Public domain
 
sunset
(c) J.Fisher, photokete (permission granted)
 
Other graphics: copyright NZCER. 
Levels:
2, 3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, day and night, sunrise, sunset
Description of task: 
Three multiple choice questions ask students to identify the most likely times for sun rise, sun set, and which diagram best illustrates night and day.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. This resource provides opportunities to discuss using a diagram to think with.
 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 

 

Y4 (08/2001)
a) 6:30 in the morning. easy
b) 7:00 at night. easy
c)
sun shining on the earth
 easy
Based on a sample of 184 Year 4 students. 
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  

Common error

a)

14% of students chose option B (9:30 in the morning).

b)

16% of students chose option A (6:00 in the morning).

16% of students chose option B (2:00 in the afternoon).

 

c)

21% of students chose option A.

sun shining on the earth
Based on the results from a sample of 184 Year 4 students, 2001.