Follow The Sun
By saw2207
@saw2207 (1359)
United States
July 11, 2009 9:10am CST
One of the most essential lessons a parent can give a child is an understanding of the natural world. A simple sundial experiment is a fun way to teach your kids how the suns path changes everyday.
All you need is:
A Paper Plate or a a piece of cardboard (you will need make a circle at least 15cm wide
A pencil or a stick
Markers or fun stickers
*First . . .Poke a little hole in the center of the plate (or in the circle that you cut out) and push the pencil (or stick) through the hole making sure it's secure.
**Next . . .Find a sunny spot where there are no trees or buildings that might cast a shadow on your circle.
***And then . . take the pencil (or the stick)and push it into the ground.
****At the beginning of every go outside and have the kids mark where the pencil's (or stick's) shadow falls on the circle. They can use the markers or stickers for this.
*****When the sun has set . . you will have a complete sundial!
Now let them decorate it some more and start talking about how the shadow moved with the passing of time. Amazing what will come out of their mouths when you tell them that people used sundials before watches and clocks were invented. It is also a good idea to show them a clock with hands so that they can see how the big hand moves around just like the stick (or the straw) moves around the circle.
2 responses
@saw2207 (1359)
• United States
15 Jul 09
still raining by you?? so sad to hear that for here in NY the last almost week has been incredible . .sun shinning . .not too hot (unless of course you are walking the streets of NYC or directly in the sun)
maybe the gopod weather is coming your way and you can come back and let me know how much fun you guys had making one of thess . . .I know my daughter and I had many a fun day with this
thanks for coming by Phil . . you know it is always great to see ya!
thanks for coming by Phil . . you know it is always great to see ya!
@lampar (7584)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Before man is intelligent enough to invent clock , time is told by calculating the location of the sun and moon and dictated by their movement. Early civilization of very intelligent culture shown that man at that time tell the time by looking at the Shadow of himself on various measuring gauges /stick in planted in the ground or wall to keep himself up with the passing of time. After many century of trials and experiments, man started to invent clock that can tell him the time of the day accurately, then sundial and moon watch is out of fashion . 
@saw2207 (1359)
• United States
18 Jul 09
you are right . . .but...... i still count certain things by the moon . .but its a woman thing so nothing you need to worry about. . . but if you look at the Jewish calendar . .they still use a lunar calendar . . which I have always found to be interesting!
And I guess that is why I have enjoyed this sun dial project so much . .for you never know when you may be stranded on a desert island . .it is a fun project to do with little ones as it is interactive and while they are doing this they are learning something. .
funny but kids today usually are not so good at telling time on an "old fashioned clock" with hands. . .generation of today .. is sooooo digital!!!
as always lamp . .thanks for stopping by . .it is ALWAYS good to see you around here on the lot
. .it is a fun project to do with little ones as it is interactive and while they are doing this they are learning something. .
funny but kids today usually are not so good at telling time on an "old fashioned clock" with hands. . .generation of today .. is sooooo digital!!!
as always lamp . .thanks for stopping by . .it is ALWAYS good to see you around here on the lot