Reason for the Seasons (The Four Seasons)

Activity in which students investigate what causes the seasons by doing a series of kinesthetic modeling activities and readings. Activity includes educator background information about how to address common misconceptions about the seasons with students.

Go To:

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?BenchmarkID=4&DocID=256

AAAS Science NetLinks

Notes From Our Reviewers

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Teaching Tips

Assess student preconceptions by having them write them down beforehand, and after the activity, they should return to their preconceptions and modify them.

Instead of having students read the text material in the introductory activity "Reason for Seasons" (which gives much of the information away), direct the student action orally and have students come to their own conclusions.

Some good follow-up lessons are suggested.

The activity states that a common misconception regarding the seasons is not mentioned in Benchmarks for Science Literacy. It is however covered in depth in the AAAS Atlas for Science Literacy, Vol 2. Weather and Climate Map. This map and supporting maps from the Atlas can be reviewed under: http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/climate_change/mtg_200702/climate_ch....

About the Science

The graphic ("Cosmic Map") shown is significantly out of scale, potentially fostering one common misconception (Earth is larger than the sun). Educators should stress that the graphic is out of scale on the diagram.

Activity addresses common misconceptions about what results in seasons on Earth.

Comment from scientist: Activity could also connect the tilt to length of day during the seasons because this also impacts how much of the sun's energy is received during different seasons; i.e. the strength of the incoming energy during the day is weaker in winter because it strikes more obliquely, but the days are also shorter. This could lead to discussion to the effect of Earth's tilt, resulting in greater extremes in seasons and amount of daylight closer to the poles than at the equator. For example, the equator has ~12 hours of daylight year round while elsewhere that occurs only at the equinoxes. Also, the north pole and south pole have 6 months of darkness followed by 6 months of daylight.

About the Pedagogy

Activity is well laid out with good motivation piece and educator background link to Private Universe.

Much of what goes on is teacher-centered, a series of lecture-demo pieces stitched together by some 3D modeling.

3D modeling part of activity is good for kinesthetic learners.

Rubric for scoring in assessment section is good.

Recommended extensions are good.

Contains best practice approach to addressing student misconceptions.

Technical Details

Very well organized and structured for ease of use by educators.