Day and Night Science Inquiry with Our Engaging Inquiry-Based Unit!

Unlock your students’ curiosity with our Day and Night Science Unit—a hands-on, inquiry-driven resource designed to help young learners explore the Earth's rotation, time, shadows, and seasonal patterns. Aligned with key curriculum standards and guided by the e5 Inquiry Model, this unit encourages deep thinking, vocabulary development, and rich classroom discussions.

With explicit teacher notes, printable activities, and step-by-step inquiry guidance, this unit supports students as they observe, question, and explain the science behind day and night.

What’s Included in This Science Unit?

• The Big So What? – Introduce the big ideas and why this topic matters
• Key Understandings – Clearly outline learning intentions
• Skill Development – Focus on science skills and critical thinking
• Inquiry Questions – Spark curiosity and guide exploration
• e5 Inquiry Model – Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate

Engage – What Is Day and Night?

Start strong by defining day and night and prompting discussion using real-life photos.

• Complete a KWHL chart to track prior knowledge and generate wonderings
• Build a themed word wall to boost vocabulary
• Use the included rubric to make learning expectations visible
• Add engaging A–Z Key activities into students’ STEAM books
• Create personalised word lists for theme-based spelling and writing

Explore – Understanding Earth’s Axis

Now dig deeper into Earth's movement and how it creates day and night:

• Record differences with a Venn Diagram
• Draw how the Earth spins and explain its motion
• Investigate the role of shadows and why they change
• Create and test a simple sundial to track time outdoors

Explain – Night, Day, and the Seasons

Encourage students to reflect on their learning so far:

• Discuss discoveries from the Engage section
• Share Night and Day and Seasons posters (colour and B&W)
• Revisit and update their KWHL wonderings
• Empower students to explain day and night and the reasons for the seasons in their own words

Elaborate – Our Earth’s Orbit and Daily Life

Extend the learning by connecting it to real life:

• Compare what we do during the day vs. night
• Investigate diurnal and nocturnal animals
• Use a Question Matrix to develop new inquiry questions

Evaluate and Celebrate – Share What You Know!

Wrap up with a celebration of learning:

• Design a model or poster to demonstrate understanding
• Reflect with a self-assessment and personal learning review
• Host a classroom exhibition to showcase projects and spark discussion

Why Teachers Love This Pack:

• Aligned with science curriculum outcomes
• Builds science vocabulary and writing connections
• Supports independent and group inquiry
• Easy to print, prep, and implement
• Suitable for STEAM and cross-curricular learning

Themes: Day and Night | Seasons | Earth’s Rotation | Inquiry Learning | Shadows | Time | Animals | Observation

Please Note:

This resource is for personal use in one classroom only. If you plan to share or use it across multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses. Do not copy or redistribute this product without written consent from the author.

Ready to bring the science of day and night to life in your classroom?

Download the Day and Night Inquiry Unit from Paula’s Place Teaching Resources today and watch your students shine!