Reason for the Seasons Lesson Plans & Worksheets Reviewed by Teachers

Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 9th - 10th

A well-designed science investigation that has students examine and graph seasonal temperature data from cities at different latitudes. They describe trends they see, and explain what they think causes these trends. They then identify...

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BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Reason for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th

In this set of activities, the path the Sun takes in relation to the Earth is tracked by students on two days, with three months in between them. They will develop an understanding of what causes the seasons as they examine the effects...

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Utah Education Network

Uen: Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th

Lesson plan addresses misconceptions about seasonal changes and Earth's orbit through a pre-lesson survey and follow-up experiments to scientifically study the answers to questions found in the survey. Includes great teacher background...

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TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Reasons for the Seasons

For Students Pre-K - 1st

Why do some regions experience full-time heat while others are reckoning with frigid temperatures and snow? And why are the seasons reversed in the two hemispheres? Rebecca Kaplan explains how the shape of the Earth's orbit around the...

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National Geographic

National Geographic: A Reason for the Season

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st

This site provides a learning activity that can be adapted for all age levels that deals with the seasons. Students are asked to become a "season sleuth" and discover what causes the seasons to change.

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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: The Reasons for the Seasons

For Students 6th - 8th

In this astronomy science fair project, investigate how the earth's axial tilt creates seasons. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on...

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PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Earth in Motion: Seasons

For Students 3rd - 8th

This interactive activity from the Adler Planetarium explains the "reasons for the seasons." Featured is a game in which Earth must be properly placed in its orbit in order to send Max, the host, to different parts of the world during...

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Science U

Science U: Reasons for the Seasons

For Students 9th - 10th

This webpage uses diagrams and video to explain the causes of the seasons.

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Other

Astronomical Society of the Pacific: To Every Season There Is a Reason

For Students 9th - 10th

Provides an in-depth explanation of seasons including why temperate and tropical climates have different seasonal cycles.

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University of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin: Reasons for the Seasons

For Students 9th - 10th

A brief explanation of the Earth's rotation around the Sun and how it relates to the amount of sunlight the Earth receives, and to the seasons. Includes two questions for students to respond to.

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Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Science Education Center:tis the Season for a Reason

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st

A professional development video exploring students misconception over the reason for Earth's season. This video addresses a way to help students understand how Earth's orbit contributes to the seasons. [11:56]

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NASA

Nasa: Space Place: What Causes the Seasons?

For Students 3rd - 7th

A fun resource that teaches students the reasons why Earth's four seasons happen they way they do.

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Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: Let the Sun Shine In

For Students 6th - 8th

Students graph data reflecting time of day and length of shadow, and then draw conclusions about Earth's seasons and position in relation to the Sun.

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Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Autumn

For Students 9th - 10th

This site from the encyclopedia Wikipedia describes both the Autumn, or Fall, season as well as the reason for the season. Links are provided to information about the equinox and solstice associated with the season as well as a link to...

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Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Teachers' Lab: A Private Universe

For Teachers 4th - 6th

This section is dedicated to educators to become expert instructors on topics like: distance between Earth, the Sun, and the moon, the phases of the moon, and reason for the seasons. Site includes information about how to address...

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Oklahoma Mesonet

University of Oklahoma: Overview of Meteorology

For Students 9th - 10th

The University of Oklahoma explores numerous types of weather and atmospheric changes, as well as the reasons behind them. Content details the four seasons, common meteorological variables, the vertical structure of the atmosphere, how...

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eSchool Today

E School Today: Your Cool Facts and Tips on Migration

For Students 9th - 10th

There are 232 million people living outside their country of birth. Learn about the reasons why people migrate from their home country and the impact, positive and negative, migration has on countries. Additionally, learn about illegal...

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Weather Wiz Kids

Weather Wiz Kids: Hurricanes

For Students Pre-K - 1st

A great resource offering the causes and effects of hurricanes, the reason why hurricanes are named the way they are, the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm, hurricane "lingo," safety tips, and more. Follow links to...

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