Curated OER
Orienting a Photovoltaic Cell
Students explore the optimum angle for orienting a solar collector relative to the rays of incoming sunlight. They review equinoxes, solstices, and various locational ideas before students investigate using meters, light sources, and...
Curated OER
Weather Word Problems
In this weather worksheet, students complete 5 short answer questions comparing and contrasting daylight hours at different locations around the world.
Curated OER
Was Kepler Correct?
Young scholars investigate the elliptical orbit around the Sun. They use the information gathered to measure the distance to the Sun from the closest orbital point and the farthest orbital point.
Curated OER
Working with Sinusoidal Models
In this sinusoidal model worksheet, students use the sinusoidal model to solve word problems about the hours of daylight in Anchorage, Alaska. Students complete 5 problems.
Curated OER
Holiday Exercises
In this interactive holiday worksheet, students view 20 symbols of various holidays and match the correct name of the holiday to the symbol.
Curated OER
Properties of Earth: Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students search for words related to the Earth, the sun and it's movements. Terms include seasons, features, and movements.
Curated OER
Geology Word List
In this science worksheet, students review the vocabulary words for the separate categories related to the concept of geology.
Curated OER
Reasons for Seasons
Learners track photoperiod (daylight hours) over time and predict how daylight change during different seasons. This helps build their understanding that ever-changing daylight is the driving force for migrations and all other seasonal...
Curated OER
Navigation
Students study the basic methods for finding one's position on Earth. Latitude can be deduced from the height above the horizon of the pole star or of the noontime Sun, while longitude requires an accurate clock giving universal time.
Curated OER
Stargazers And Skywatchers
Pupils recognize the daily motion of the Sun across the sky, defining the main directions of east, west, south and north. They see how the first calendars were based on changes in the Sun's noontime elevation, and on locations of sunrise...
Curated OER
Seasons in 3D: Student Exploration
In this seasons exploration activity, students review vocabulary and answer prior knowledge questions, then use the Seasons in 3D Gizmo to complete exploration activities.
Curated OER
Fall Lesson Plans
Fall lesson plans can combine science, history, and writing into an enticing combination.
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 16 - Daylight Hours
In this geography skills worksheet, students read an instructional passage regarding daylight hours and then respond to 5 short answer questions.
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: The Winter Solstice
Short explanation of the winter solstice, with a diagram. Available in three versions, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. There is also a tab that accesses a Spanish-language version.
Other
Earth Sky: Everything You Need to Know: December Solstice 2014
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...
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Seasonal Observations: Winter
The shortest day of the year, or the winter solstice, marks the beginning of this season usually occurs around December 21. Bundle up because winter is a fantastic time to track animals and explore the outdoors!
China State Council Information Office and the China International Publishing Group
China Internet Information Center: Winter Solstice Festival
An article about how the winter solstice is celebrated in China.
Other
Iransaga: Festival of Yalda, Winter Solstice
Read about the celebration of the winter solstice in Iran. This article tells the history behind the celebration and the traditions that are practiced.
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey: The Seasons
Find out what the seasons are and how they change. Through the use of excellent graphics, content explores the Earth's orbit around the sun and how sunlight reaches the earth at equinox and the winter solstice.
Other
Lunar and Planetary Institute: Sky Tellers: Myths, Magic, Mysteries of Universe
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...
National Geographic
National Geographic: A Reason for the Season
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.
Read Works
Read Works: The Longest and Shortest Days
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the longest and shortest days of the year in the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Curated OER
China Internet Information Center: Winter Solstice Festival
An article about how the winter solstice is celebrated in China.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Earth and Space the Seasons
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart explores the relationship between the sun and earth and how the seasons happen. Vocabulary of the equinox, solstice, etc. is included.