Some students observe the Sun moving up and down and this explains why it gets dark at night and light during the day

Students can use a variety of incorrect constructs to explain the relative movement of moon/sun/earth. For example, students might say "the Sun goes down and the moon comes up at night".

Resources to address this

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

  Earth is spinning on its axis in front of the Sun, once every 24 hours. According to this view, day-time comes when your side of the Earth is facing towards the Sun and night-time when it faces away from the Sun. 

  View Resource

References

• Osborne, J. et al., (1994) The Earth in space: Primary space project research report, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool.

  Paper 1 and Paper 2
  

• Sharp, J. G., (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