The Seasons Presented by Kesler Science
Essential Questions: 1. What causes day and night? 2. What causes the seasons to change?
Quick Action INB Template Rotation and Revolution 1. Cut out the template 2. Glue it to your journal along the 2 skinny tabs 3. Answer the questions Describe Rotation in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full rotation? Describe Revolution in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full revolution around the Sun?
Quick Action INB Template Rotation The action of spinning on an axis Causes night and day 1 Earth day = 24 hours Ex. Ferris wheel, pinwheel Describe Rotation in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full rotation? Describe Revolution in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full revolution around the Sun?
Quick Action INB Template Revolution The movement of one object around another Earth orbits the Sun The Earth is at a constant tilt of 23.5º Revolution + Tilt = Seasons 1 year = 365 ¼ days Describe Rotation in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full rotation? Describe Revolution in your own words How long does it take for the Earth to make one full revolution around the Sun?
Seasons Vocabulary Summer Northern Hemisphere The northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. Most direct sunlight (focused light) Longer days and shorter nights. North pole has constant daylight Direct focused Indirect scattered
Seasons Vocabulary Fall Northern Hemisphere The axis is not pointed towards or away from the Sun. Equal sunlight in both hemispheres Equal length days and nights at the equator
Seasons Vocabulary Winter Northern Hemisphere The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. Most indirect sunlight Shorter days and longer nights South pole has constant daylight Indirect scattered Direct focused
Seasons Vocabulary Spring Northern Hemisphere The axis is not pointed towards or away from the Sun. Equal sunlight in both hemispheres Equal length days (12 hours) and nights (12 hours) at the equator
Seasons Vocabulary Seasons Southern Hemisphere Opposite of northern hemisphere Ex. If it s summer in Dallas, then it s winter in Rio de Janeiro.
Quick Action Seasons Model Find a partner and stand up. One person will need a pencil Listen to your teacher for specific instructions.
Seasons Vocabulary Solstices The longest or shortest days of the year The Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon. Summer Solstice about June 21 st Winter Solstice about December 21 st
Seasons Vocabulary
Seasons Vocabulary
Seasons Vocabulary Equinoxes Day and night are equal at the equator Vernal equinox about March 20 th Autumnal equinox about September 22 nd
Quick Action INB Template Seasons Model 1. Cut out the Seasons template 2. Glue it to your journal along the skinny tabs Winter Solstice Dec 21 st or 22nd Fall Autumn Equinox usually Sept 22 nd or 23rd Summer Summer Solstice June 21 st or 22nd 3. Put the four Earth models in the correct position Winter Vernal Equinox usually March 20th Spring
Quick Action INB Template Seasons Model 1. Cut out the Seasons template 2. Glue it to your journal along the skinny tabs 3. Put the four Earth models in the correct position
Quick Action INB Template Seasons Model 1. List some characteristics and facts about each season Fall Equal Day and Nights Leaves begin to fall off trees Temperature gets cooler Winter Summer Long days, short nights Hottest temperatures Pointed toward the Sun Spring Short days, long nights Coldest temperatures Pointed away from the Sun Equal Day and Nights Flowers and trees begin to bloom Temperature gets warmer
Check for Understanding Seasons Model 1. Draw a model of the Earth s revolution around the Sun. 2. Include labels for each season in the Northern and Southern hemisphere.
Check for Understanding Day and Night Write a short answer response to the following question. What causes day and night?
Check for Understanding Can you 1. Create a model of what causes day and night. 2. Draw a diagram of why the seasons change.