Lesson Plan
World Wildlife Fund

Land of the Midnight Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
From days of 24 hour sunlight, to endless nights that last for days, the Arctic is a very unique place to live. Examine the seasonal changes that occur in the northern-most reaches of the globe and the impact they have on the plants and...
Lesson Plan
3
3
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
After completing the activity, "Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year," zoom in on Earth's rotation using the same simulation setup and this outline. Each class member dons a map of the Western Hemisphere and plays the part of...
Interactive3:50
Scholastic

Study Jams! A Day on Earth

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
It's good thing that it isn't up to RJ to spin the earth on its axis; he can't even keep a basketball spinning! In this video animation, he and viewers learn about Earth's movements in space. One thing to consider before you use this...
Workbook
1
1
University of California

Seasons Lab Book

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Unlock the mystery behind seasonal change with a collection of worksheets and activities. Whether they are drawing pictures of Earth's orbit around the sun or graphing the temperature and daylight hours of different locations...
Interactive
Scholastic

Study Jams! Seasons

For Students 5th - 8th
Use this during the season of teaching about the seasons! As Earth revolves around the sun, its tilt causes the weather to change. The graphics in this presentation show how Earth's position in space has an effect on the angle of...
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Solstice and Equinox Season Model

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
Activity
1
1
Lake Afton Public Observatory

Shadows, Angles, and the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Shine some light on the topic of seasonal change with this collection of activities. Whether it's by measuring the change in the length of their shadows, or modeling the earth's orbit around the sun using a lamp and a globe, these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Seasons

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Junior geologists become the force that makes the world go around! With a lamp on the floor in the middle of the room to represent the sun, volunteers hold a globe, revolve, and rotate. Observers notice how the light hitting the globe...
PPT
Curated OER

The Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Photographs and graphics bring the solar system and Earth to life in this presentation. Viewers are taken on a virtual field trip, beginning with the sun and planet placement, and proceeding through both Earth and the moon's movements....
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Seasons Around the World

For Students 1st - 5th
Why does Earth experience summer, fall, winter, and spring? Using an informative demonstration, learners see how the angle of the sun on Earth and the rotation of Earth determine the seasons. Scholars work in pairs to learn that the...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Sun, Earth and Moon Model

For Students 3rd - 5th
The moon orbits Earth while the Earth is rotating, and the Earth revolves around the sun. This can be a tricky concept for young astronomers. Implement an activity that helps distinguish between the movements of Earth's systems around...
Activity
North American Montessori Center

Sun and Moon Autumnal Equinox Activities

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Two hands-on activities celebrate the sun and moon autumnal equinox. First, scholars create a cairn using a shoebox, flashlight, and drawing tools to view the sun's progression. Second, learners take to the kitchen to bake mooncakes...
Unit Plan
1
1
NASA

The Science of the Sun

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
There's more to that glowing ball of light in sky than most children realize. From the overall structure of the solar system, to the changing of the seasons, these hands-on lessons open the eyes of young scientists to...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
Interactive
PBS

Why Do We Have Seasons?

For Students 5th - 12th
Explore the reason for the seasons! An interactive lesson allows learners to explore the earth's rotation from the viewpoint of four cities at different latitudes. It provides descriptive information at eight points during the orbit...
PPT
1
1
Curated OER

Solar/Lunar Eclipses and the Seasons

For Teachers 5th - 7th
How do the moon, sun, and Earth line up to create eclipses? Why do the seasons change throughout a year? The answers to these questions are explained through this series of slides. This apt presentation outlines information using bullet...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Bill Nye Video: Earth's Seasons

For Students 4th - 8th
In this earth's seasons learning exercise, students answer fill in the blank questions after seeing Bill Nye's video. Topics include the rotation of the earth around the sun, the tilt of the earth, the time zones and sunlight.
Lesson Plan
1
1
Purdue University

Global Design for the Seasons

For Teachers 5th
People don't all get the same amount of sun at the same time of the year. Collaborative groups explore how the motion of Earth contributes to the idea in an inquiry-based STEM lesson. Learners first investigate how the rotation of Earth...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
A lamp, four globes, and some signs taped around the room are all you need to set up a solar system simulation for teaching how Earth's tilted axis creates the seasons. (Sticky dots are also needed, but not mentioned in the materials...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
How many times have you traveled around the sun? Aspiring astronomers grasp what a year is and they differentiate between orbit and rotation by walking around the sun right within your classroom. Place a lamp in the center of the room to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Season's Greetings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Earth's seasons using an interactive website. In this earth science activity, students watch video segments and explain Earth's seasonal milestones. They discuss the factors that causes seasonal changes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasonal cycles

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners understand that the rotation of the Earth is responsible for the seasons. In this seasonal cycles activity, students learn how the rotation of the Earth affects the seasons. Learners answer questions about the rotation, the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth's Place in Space

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this Earth worksheet, students review how the revolution, rotation, and tilt of the Earth effects the Earth. This worksheet has 4 matching and 3 short answer questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Tilted Earth

For Students 5th - 8th
What causes Earth's seasons? Find out through a series of anticipatory questions, an easy yet powerful activity representing the sun-Earth system, a diagram to label, and follow-up questions. Dispel the misconceptions about Earth being...