Students will be able to develop and use models to explain how seasons, caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun, affects the length of the day and the amount of heating on Earth's surface. 8.E.4B.3
Content Knowledge Support
- Read and compete interactive science workbook pages 156-163.
Discussion Topics
1. 🤔 What influences the seasons more the length of day or the angle of the Sun's rays? 😎Create an ORIGINAL drawing accurately demonstrating Earth in space experiencing all four seasons to help justify your point of view and persuade others that you are correct. 💯Photograph your drawing and attach it to your response to this discussion explaining what influences seasons the most.
2. Describe using 3 or more specific details what Earth and the human race would be like if Earth was tilted on its axis like the planet Uranus? Clearly describe what would the seasons be like? What would people have to do differently to survive? How could a dramatic tilt such as this have completely changed the course of human evolution using specific details from the module as well as other sources of evidence.
3. What are seasons like on other planets?
4. What would Earth's seasons be like if it were not tilted?
5. Many people think the seasons change because of Earth's distance to the Sun. Explain why this is not true and provide an accurate explanation for why the Earth does have seasons.
2. Describe using 3 or more specific details what Earth and the human race would be like if Earth was tilted on its axis like the planet Uranus? Clearly describe what would the seasons be like? What would people have to do differently to survive? How could a dramatic tilt such as this have completely changed the course of human evolution using specific details from the module as well as other sources of evidence.
3. What are seasons like on other planets?
4. What would Earth's seasons be like if it were not tilted?
5. Many people think the seasons change because of Earth's distance to the Sun. Explain why this is not true and provide an accurate explanation for why the Earth does have seasons.
Recommended Exercises
Additional Exercises & Extensions
(Level 1) Comprehension
- Complete the Reasons for the Seasons EDPuzzle.
(Level 2) Application
- Complete the Sage and Scribe Seasons activity using this assignment TEMPLATE.
- Using 50-100 words explain how the tilt of the Earth axis impacts your daily life over the course of an entire year.
(Level 3) Analysis
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2. Complete Sunlight and Seasons SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
3. Complete A Year Viewed From Space SEPUP computer simulation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
4. Complete Explaining the Seasons SEPUP modeling activity and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
5. Complete The Earth On The Move SEPUP reading and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
6. Interview two or more family members or a trusted adult and ask them why the Earth has seasons. Record and analyze their response and report any misconceptions they may.
3. Complete A Year Viewed From Space SEPUP computer simulation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
4. Complete Explaining the Seasons SEPUP modeling activity and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
5. Complete The Earth On The Move SEPUP reading and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
6. Interview two or more family members or a trusted adult and ask them why the Earth has seasons. Record and analyze their response and report any misconceptions they may.
(Level 4) Evaluation
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2. Evaluate whether or not direct vs. indirect rays from the Sun OR the total number of daylight hours has a greater impact on Earth's seasonal changes. Justify your answer using at least 2 or more specific details.3. Using between 150-300 words explain how Earth's seasons would be different if Earth was not tilted on its axis using 3 or more specific details.
4. Watch the video, Pros and cons of Daylight Savings Time. Using 150-300 words explain what daylight savings time is and evaluate whether or not we should continue to use this system or to stop using it completely. Justify your answer using at least 2 or more cited sources of evidence.
4. Watch the video, Pros and cons of Daylight Savings Time. Using 150-300 words explain what daylight savings time is and evaluate whether or not we should continue to use this system or to stop using it completely. Justify your answer using at least 2 or more cited sources of evidence.
(Level 5) Creation
- Create an amazing poster modeling why the Earth has seasons using this assignment TEMPLATE.
- Create a reasons for the seasons infographic.
Additional Explorations
- At latitudes beyond 66.5 degrees north and south (the Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle), there are "days and "nights" that last for a month or months. Research and model how this happens.
- The only region of the Earth that ever receives sunlight at 90 degrees is between where?
- The changes in seasons affect living things in many different ways. These changes can stimulate living things to enter dormancy or hibernation, enter into courtship behaviors, develop structures for reproduction, and/or many other responses. Research some specific examples.
- Over the course of Earth's history, the Earth's axis has wobbled. This means that the Earth's axis has not always been pointed in the same direction. When combined with variations in the tilt of the Earth's axis and the distance the Earth is from the Sun, the result cycle of ice ages that lasts approximately how long? When will this occur again?
- Research and summarise how migratory animals sense the change in the amount of daylight.
Future Learning Connections (9-12)
- Construct scientific arguments to support claims of past changes in climate caused by various factors such as changes in the atmosphere, variations in solar output, Earth's orbit, changes in the orientation of Earth's axis of rotation, or changes in the biosphere.
English Language Learners
Module Review Resources
Vocabulary Practice
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