Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Tilt of Earth's Axis and the Four Seasons

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This task gives students a chance to explore the effects of the Earth's tilt and rotation using a simple geometric model of Earth-Sun interaction that shows why the seasons occur. Aligns with G-MG.A.1.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: A Matter of Degrees: Tilt of Earth's Axis Affects the Seasons

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this science fair project, use a globe and a heat lamp to investigate how the angle of the Sun affects global warming. This project includes the objective, background questions, a list of all the materials you'll need, and the...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Weather & Climate: Seasons

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of seasons and how they are caused by the Earth's rotation and orbit.
Graphic
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Cosmology and Astronomy: Season Simulator

For Students 9th - 10th
This season simulator takes Earth through an entire year cycle allowing the viewer to observe the tilt of the Earth and the intensity of the sunlight.
Lesson Plan
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 middle schoolers on two days, with three months in between them. They will develop an understanding of what causes the seasons as they examine the...
Interactive
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...
Website
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...
Unit Plan
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...
Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Seasons

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This site contains an animation showing how the seasons are produced by the tilt of Earth's rotating axis. Site also includes a short quiz over the topic of seasons.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium:seasons/shadows: Investigate How Shadows Shift Throughout the Year

For Students 9th - 10th
Ancient Chacoans used shadows to tell daily time and seasons. Build a model that demonstrates the changes in Earth's tilt that affect the length of shadows relative to the sun that determines the seasons. The lesson plan uses everyday...
Handout
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.
eBook
Other

Earth Science: Earth's Surface and Heat [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
This textbook chapter looks at the role of temperature in sustaining life on Earth and on weather and climate. It discusses the Earth's movements and the seasons, the circulation of the oceans, wind and weather, and the water cycle....
PPT
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Seasons on Earth and Mars

For Students 6th - 8th
Compare the seasons on Earth and Mars with NASA imagery. Use this resource to visualize how the axial tilt of a planet influences its seasons and to compare data about seasonal changes on Earth and Mars. Support materials include:...
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Why Do We Have Seasons?

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore what causes seasons on Earth in this interactive adapted from NASA materials that features four cities at different latitudes. Use this resource to view how Earth's axial tilt causes seasons from different perspectives and to...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Our Solar System: A Day on Earth

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on how the Earth's tilt on its axis, its rotation, and its orbit around the Sun give us a 24-hour day, a 365-day year, and our seasons.
Handout
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.
Website
NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Scijinks: Seasons

For Students 3rd - 9th
An explanation about the rotation of the Earth and why the Earth has seasons.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Season

For Students 9th - 10th
Encyclopedia entry for the seasons. Click on each specific season for more information.
Handout
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.
Handout
Curated OER

Weather Dude: The Seasons

For Students 3rd - 8th
Especially for kids, the Weather Dude provides a simple explanation of the seasons. Includes a music clip titled "Circle of Our Four Seasons," and suggested lesson plans and school assignments.
Unit Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois Extension: Tree House Weather Kids: What Causes the Season?

For Students 5th - 8th
Explore what causes the change of seasons on the Earth.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: What Causes the Seasons?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students' will explore how the tilt of the earth's axis results in different amounts of solar radiation at different times of the year, causing seasons. They will simulate the earth's warming using a light bulb that...
Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Seasons: Earth's Orbit

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An interactive animation demonstrating the Earth's tilted axis and how that causes the seasons. Also included on the site is a short quiz on the topic.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs: Why Do We Have Seasons?

For Students 5th - 8th
A student-directed tutorial showing all aspects of seasons, including Earth's tilt position in relation to the sun, photos of typical weather during that season, and some informational text to support the visuals.

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