Year 3

In Science this term, Year 3 has been investigating the relationship between the Sun, Earth and Moon. This interactive unit is structured so students first build their knowledge of the Sun and the impacts it has on Earth. We then used this knowledge to create a video of the interactions between the Sun, Earth and Moon, describing what causes night and day and the seasons. Year 3 enjoyed learning about the ancient practice of telling the time using the Sun. 

We discovered that as the Earth spins, the position of the sun in the sky moves, it causes shadows that we can follow. In the middle of the day, the sun is high in the sky and the shadows cast are short; as the sun moves lower, by the afternoon, the shadows become longer. This pattern is repeated every day. Over 2000 years ago, people realised they needed an accurate way to tell the time. Time needed to be measured. Until mechanical clocks were invented 500 years ago, the most common measurement of time was the sundial.

We designed and tested our own sundials. We used a compass to carefully mark South indicating our position in the Southern Hemisphere. When we placed our sundials in the sun, we could make a mark where the shadow falls, showing the time on the hour. 

Year 3 has thoroughly enjoyed Science this term and gained a lot of new knowledge and skills to share with their families…just ask them!

Margie Attard, Louise Harris, Brooke Panagopoulos and Claire Pecker
Year 3 Teachers