Make a Paper Sundial Template and Lesson Plan.
While we may all look at our phones, or if you are the teacher reading this our watches, to tell the time this wasn’t always the case. A few hundred years ago all people had were Sundials and while sundials are obsolete now the paper sundials are great for teaching a whole host of subjects including English and STEM.
We have a full lesson with powerpoints, printables and consolidation worksheets which you can use how ever you wish in your Sundial lesson. We have used them in the following lessons.
- English: as instructional text practice and procedural instructions and we often pair it with a guided reading lesson on planets, space or the sun.
- Stem lessons: to teach a wide range of concepts including planet movement, maths, degrees and of course craft work.
- After school lessons: These are great both as a craft activity and as an introduction into science.
If you know how these work we have the downloads here below the main image, for you to jump write in. they all come with instructions inside as well as on this page, but it might be worth bookmarking this page to come back to in case you need further advice.
Make a Paper Sundial Template and Material Downloads.
I have included images of the PowerPoint and template above which are free to download. They include a brief outline of how old, and for what purpose sundials were made. The main resource is the Paper sundial template however, which lets students easily makes their own working sundial pretty quickly!
There is also a Paper Sundial worksheet, but due to layout restrictions i had to put his on a separate page which i will link at the bottom it is in powerpoint so you can adapt this to your won students / topics.
. This means there is an element of supplementary work for students to complete if you need something extra or to consolidate the sundial activity.
We have further information on how to use this paper Sundial template in the following sections, and another download link we have made in a PDF format so you can see what you are downloading if you need to.
How to use the Paper Sundial Template
I have a few of these STEM and science type worksheets but as i work with primarily ESL and younger learners i have tried to make it so the worksheets, instructions and information are as accessible as i can make them for this ages range. they are also free to download (here) If you need to change these Slides or templates to use in your classrooms then there is an editable version in the shop linked here as well .
In my experience my students have really enjoyed doing these STEM style experiments, and they are a useful and easy win in all teachers tool kits!
Instructions on how to Build the Paper Sundial
make sure you have sundial template in front of you before following these instructions, oh and try to test it on a sunny day!
- Cut each side of the sundial dotted lines ……………. to the middle. (don’t cut the middle as then you will need a new template!)
- Fold the other dashed lines ( – – – – – – – – – ) so the Sundial can be stuck with tape of glue later.
- Fold the flap closest to your latitude on the side of your Paper Sundial. This is where
you are in the world (look up your towns latitude on Google) we have some examples in the table below but the more accurate your latitude the more accurate your sundial. - Tape or glue the flaps to the bottom of your paper sundial so the sundial is standing up ( see the picture on the paper sundial template as reference.
- Carefully push a pencil or similar through the ‘’Making English Fun’’ picture so it can make a
shadow and tape it down if needed. ( we find wooden chopsticks are good for this. - Now aim your sundial North or South ( depending where in the word you are and hope for a sunny day!!
- Now you can tell the time by using the Sun!
Other STEM lessons and resources.
We have a few STEM resources on the site and actually they are free here, when we charge on teachers pay teachers!
- How to make a Milk Rainbow, or Milk Fireworks Lesson
- 10 Junior Science and STEM experiments for Homes and Classrooms.
- How to make a floating compass lesson plan
- Junior Science – Splitting colors and Chromatography lesson plan.
- Paper Plate Sundial ideas
Conclusion
We have a selection of STEM experiments on the site, background of general studies and the fact that they are great lessons to spark students inquisitive minds. We can find some other links in the list above, and we have included a video on how to make a paper plate sundial if you wanted to try that as well.
However, whatever the purpose of the lesson you are using this paper Sundial template for it is a great activity with so many options for students of all ages.
Making English Fun!
I have been a teacher of English for over 15 years, in that time i made hundreds and thousands of resources and learnt so much i think its worth sharing. Hopefully to help teachers and parents around the world.
