Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: Know that the Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days and use this to explain the periodic nature of the seasons
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe Earth’s orbital characteristics (period, distance, speed).
  • Explain how Earth’s axial tilt produces seasonal temperature changes.
  • Apply the sinusoidal declination formula to predict solar position throughout the year.
  • Interpret diagrams of Earth’s orbit and the four key seasonal positions.
  • Use the concept of orbital period to justify why the seasonal pattern repeats annually.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Printed worksheets with orbit diagram
  • Globe and ruler
  • Scientific calculators
  • Student notebooks and pens
  • Sticky notes for exit tickets
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick question: Why do we experience different weather at the same time each year? Recall that students already know the Earth rotates daily and that the Sun appears to move across the sky. Today they will discover how Earth’s yearly orbit and tilt create the regular pattern of seasons, and they will be able to explain this using a simple sinusoidal model.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students answer a short prompt on why seasons occur, writing responses in notebooks. (Check understanding)
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present key facts about Earth’s orbit and axial tilt using slides and a globe. (Explain)
  3. Interactive diagram activity (12'): In pairs, students label a printed diagram of Earth’s orbit showing solstices/equinoxes and calculate orbital speed. (Apply)
  4. Mathematical model exploration (10'): Demonstrate the declination formula, have students plot solar declination over a year using calculators. (Analyse)
  5. Concept check (8'): Quick quiz (Kahoot) on reasons for seasons and orbital period. (Evaluate)
  6. Summary discussion (5'): Whole‑class recap of how orbit and tilt produce seasonal cycles. (Consolidate)
Conclusion:
Review the main points: Earth completes one 365‑day orbit and its 23.5° tilt causes varying solar intensity, producing the seasons. For exit, students write one sentence linking orbital period to seasonal repetition on a sticky note. Homework: complete the worksheet calculating solar declination for three selected days.