Math Lesson: Graphing Daylight Patterns
Lesson Plan
50 minutesGrades1Science, Mathematics
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Written by Jess Napolitano, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
In this lesson, students make predictions about, read, graph, and monitor patterns in the sky.
Inquire: Students model the movements of the Sun and Earth with a partner.
Investigate: Students listen to read aloud of The Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons and analyze data showing daylight hours across different seasons.
Inspire: Students create a sundial to monitor the Sun’s movement.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be used at the middle or end of the year as a spiral review of several math skills and to reinforce the skills of addition and subtraction, data collection, and analysis or taught in conjunction with a data unit in math.
- This lesson can be taught as an extension of a weather or space unit.
- Each section in this lesson can be extended into science and math classes. See the pacing guide in the unit overview.
- This lesson explores diverse voices in the classroom as it allows all students to share personal experiences and promotes communication skills.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 3 of 3 in our 1st grade Math and Weather Unit.
- Students should have a basic understanding of the following concepts:
- different types of weather
- Earth’s movements
- features of a bar graph and pictograph
- counting to 20
- comparing numbers
- Before teaching this lesson, the teacher should procure and preview the book The Reason for Seasons by Gail Gibbons.
- Teacher should prepare the following materials:
- Optional: Hula-Hoops and flashlights for the Inquire activity
- Sturdy paper plates, bendy straws, compasses, scissors, tape, sharpened pencils, and markers for the Sundial activity in the Inspire section
Differentiation
- As an extension, choose an extended period to monitor the Sun’s movements based on the classroom schedule and student ability level. Time can range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Maintain data collection and display charts in the classroom.
- To further reinforce the concept, you can extend the simple sundial activity by creating a large outdoor sundial on campus grounds using gravel, rocks, or other simple building materials. See resources here and here.
- To scaffold the graphing activity in the Investigate section, review attributes of bar graphs and addition and subtraction strategies beforehand.
- Provide counting blocks or manipulatives for students who need them.
- As an extension, trace student shadows using chalk at different times throughout the day. Compare and contrast the differences to connect to the Sun’s position in the sky.
- For advanced students, connect data to time and analog clocks.
- As a challenge, research and record daylight hours around the world, including the North Pole and Antarctica.
From the scientist review
Students can observe and record the sun's movements, calculate and plot the number of daylight hours in various locations and seasons, and learn how these variations may affect human daily activities in New Jersey. Our science review of this lesson was satisfactory.
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About the teacher writers
Jess Napolitano
Jess Napolitano has been teaching since 2009 and has 17 years of experience in elementary education. She teaches science, social studies, English language arts, mathematics, and health for third-grade students. Jess holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Early Childhood Education from Kean University and is a Google Certified Educator, National Geographic Certified Educator, and Starlab Planetarium Certified educator. She also serves as a technology leader, supporting STEM and computer science education through technology integration and professional development.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
