---
title: "Earth's Spin & Orbit"
description: "Understand that Earth moves in two ways: it rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours causing day and night, and it orbits (travels around) the Sun once every 365 days, which is one year"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-spin-and-orbit-mt_w2xiMNkyyX
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-spin-and-orbit-mt_w2xiMNkyyX.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Earth's Spin & Orbit

Understand that Earth moves in two ways: it rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours causing day and night, and it orbits (travels around) the Sun once every 365 days, which is one year

Subject: Science · Area: Space Exploration · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-spin-and-orbit-mt_w2xiMNkyyX

## Ready when they can

- Demonstrate with a globe or ball that Earth's rotation causes day on the Sun-facing side and night on the opposite side
- State that one full rotation takes about 24 hours (one day)
- State that one full orbit around the Sun takes about 365 days (one year)

## Lesson: Earth's Spin & Orbit

Earth is always moving, even though you cannot feel it. It moves in two ways at the same time. It spins around and around like a top, and it also travels in a big circle around the Sun.

*(drawing: As Earth spins, your spot moves from day to night and back again.)*

**Example.** When Mia wakes up, her side of Earth is turned toward the Sun, so it is daytime for her. At that same moment, on the other side of the world, it is dark and her cousin is asleep. That is what Earth's spin does: one side faces the Sun while the other side faces away.

*(drawing: A full spin takes about 24 hours. A full trip around the Sun takes about 365 days.)*

**Tip.** Do not mix these up. Spinning gives you day and night. Orbiting all the way around the Sun gives you one year.

**Recap.** Earth spins once every 24 hours to give us day and night, and it circles the Sun once every 365 days to give us one year.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Seasons & Weather Patterns](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/seasons-and-weather-patterns-mt_fI-8iqf_Id)
- [The Sun is a star](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-sun-is-a-star-mt_u3Y3Tb-G_n)

## Opens up

- [The Moon's Orbit](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-moons-orbit-mt_15FduGRf5c)
- [Seasonal Constellations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/seasonal-constellations-mt_9VZem2vUqk)
- [Changing Ideas About Space](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/changing-ideas-about-space-mt_KiRn5lnRgj)
- [Earth's rotation and day/night](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-rotation-and-day-night-mt_q15w--Fb5H)
- [Gravity Pulls Things Down](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/gravity-pulls-things-down-mt_Y2WcY2lOTK)