Lesson Plan
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 plan survey and follow-up experiments to scientifically study the answers to questions found in the survey. Includes great teacher...
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.
Handout
Environmental Education for Kids

Eek!: Seasonal Observations: Spring

For Students 3rd - 5th
Say good-bye to cold temperatures and short days, spring is here!! Mud puddles, blossoms, songbirds are just a few things that call us outdoors during this season. Start here for some cool ideas to celebrate spring!
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.
Primary
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]
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.
Website
NASA

Nasa Star Child: A Song for All Seasons

For Students 9th - 10th
After listening to excerpts from four of the violin concertos from "The Four Seasons" by Italian composer and violinist, Antonio Vivaldi, decide which excerpt was meant to go with which season, and also decide where the earth would be in...
Website
Geography 4 kids

Geography4 kids.com: Seasonal Wetlands

For Students 3rd - 8th
Identify the four types of seasonal wetlands found across the earth. There are fresh water and salt water marshes, bogs, and swamps.
Article
Other

Earth Sky: Everything You Need to Know: December Solstice 2014

For Students 9th - 10th
Winter solstice, earliest sunset, latest sunrise. It seems that, in the Northern Hemisphere anyway, these three events should happen on the same day. Read this explanation of the changing of the seasons and learn why the winter solstice...
Handout
Other

Lunar and Planetary Institute: Sky Tellers: Myths, Magic, Mysteries of Universe

For Students 9th - 10th
Very nice website with excellent graphics depicting the change of the seasons and how the seasons are different between the northern and southern hemisphere. Also has a nice informational table of the spring and fall equinox and summer...
Website
Ohio State University

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Common Misconceptions About Day and Night

For Students 9th - 10th
Misconceptions about the causes of seasons and day and night are common through all ages. Use the information on this site to help your students understand these concepts. Included are links to many resources and lesson plans for...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Sci Jinks: What's a Solstice?

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out how the Earth's tilted axis affects the seasons on the Earth.
Website
Utah Education Network

Uen: Themepark: Cycles

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This is a large collection of resources on cycles of nature and the Earth. There is a constant exchange of the elements between air, earth, water, plants, and animals. Most biological processes wind up back where they started. These...
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Kinesthetic Astronomy: Longer Days, Shorter Nights

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This kinesthetic activity demonstrates to students that the Earth's tilt is what is responsible for shifting light patterns and the change in seasons.
Website
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...
Website
Cornell University

Cornell University: Astronomy: Eclipses

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Astronomy Department of Cornell University provides brief introduction to both solar and lunar eclipses. Links are provided for pictures and charts of the eclipses, and this is a good site to check out on the subject.

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