Some students have ideas that the Sun gets covered and that is what causes night

For example, the Sun might get covered by clouds, the Moon, or something called “night”.

Resources to address this

• Why do we get day and night? (5-11) & (11-14)

  Simple blocking explanations: These explanations all involve something getting in the way of the Sun, blocking its light and thereby creating the darkness of night. Common wrong tracks include arguing that the Moon, clouds or hills and mountains cause sunlight to be blocked.

  This is a 'wrong track' idea.

  View Resource

References

• Baxter, J., (1989) Children's understanding of familiar astronomical events, International Journal of Science Education, 11 (5) 502-513.

  Key paper digest

• Osborne, J., Wadsworth, P., Black, P. and Meadows, J., (1994) The earth in space: Primary space project research report, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.

  Paper 1 and Paper 1

• Sharp, G. J., (1996) Children's astronomical beliefs: a preliminary study of Year 6 children in south‐west England, International Journal of Science Education, 18 (6) 685-712.

  Key paper digest

• Slater, V. E., Morris, E. J. & McKinnon, D., (2018) Astronomy alternative conceptions in preadolescent students in Western Australia, International Journal of Science Education, 40 (17) 2158-2180.