Click image to open full size
Science
Grade 2-3
Sun Moon Day Night and Shadows Grade 2 Visual Cheat Sheet
A printable reference covering the Sun, Moon, day, night, shadows, light sources, and Earth patterns for grades 2-3.
Related Tools
Related Labs
Related Worksheets
Related Infographics
This cheat sheet helps students understand how the Sun, Moon, day, night, and shadows are connected. Students learn that the Sun gives Earth light and heat during the day. They also learn that the Moon can be seen at night and sometimes during the day. This reference uses simple ideas and clear science words for young learners. The most important idea is that day and night happen because Earth spins. The side of Earth facing the Sun has day, and the side turned away has night. Shadows form when an object blocks light. A simple rule is: light source plus object equals shadow.
Key Facts
- The Sun is a star that gives Earth light and heat.
- Day happens when your part of Earth faces the Sun.
- Night happens when your part of Earth turns away from the Sun.
- Earth spins one full turn about every 24 hours, making one day and one night.
- The Moon does not make its own light, and we see it because sunlight shines on it.
- A shadow forms when an object blocks light from a light source.
- Shadow rule: light source plus object equals shadow.
- A shadow points away from the light source.
Vocabulary
- Sun
- The Sun is the star closest to Earth, and it gives us light and heat.
- Moon
- The Moon is a natural object that moves around Earth and reflects sunlight.
- Day
- Day is the time when your part of Earth is facing the Sun.
- Night
- Night is the time when your part of Earth is turned away from the Sun.
- Shadow
- A shadow is a dark shape made when an object blocks light.
- Light source
- A light source is something that makes light, such as the Sun, a lamp, or a flashlight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking the Sun moves around Earth each day is wrong because day and night happen mostly because Earth spins.
- Thinking the Moon makes its own light is wrong because the Moon reflects light from the Sun.
- Drawing a shadow toward the light is wrong because a shadow forms on the side away from the light source.
- Thinking shadows only happen outside is wrong because shadows can form anywhere there is light and an object blocking it.
- Thinking night happens because the Sun turns off is wrong because the Sun keeps shining while Earth turns.
Practice Questions
- 1 A flashlight shines on a toy car from the left side. Which side of the toy car will the shadow be on?
- 2 Earth takes about 24 hours to spin one full turn. About how many hours are in one day and night together?
- 3 If the Sun is high in the sky and you stand on the playground, will your shadow usually be short or long?
- 4 Explain why one side of Earth can have day while the other side has night.