Misconceptions About the Reasons for the Seasons? Try This | Science in the City

On the website

Resources

Nov 18, 2012

Misconceptions About the Reasons for the Seasons? Try This

Do your students have a lot of misconceptions about the causes for the seasons?   Try this. 

Need a seasonal science activity?

Do you do a seasonal/winter/holiday activity with your classes?  Sometimes I find it hard to work into an overly busy curriculum, especially with older students. I also am never sure if its better to add to the excitement and chaos, or if its better to maintain as much normalcy as possible.  I don't want to 'throw a party' on the day before break, but we also need some recognition of it being a special day.  It is not only a day before the break, and perhaps near Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, spring break, or summer vacation, but it is probably also near the Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, or Summer Solstice.

A description and freebie used to teach about the reasons for the seasons, and to reduce misconceptions about the causes for the seasons


This is how I teach about seasons, and celebrate a holiday in science class

Here is a compromise I have worked out.  The day before winter break (or somewhere right around there) is usually the winter solstice.   Its a great opportunity to talk about why and how the seasons change, how the solstice is celebrated around the world, and to review/introduce a key concept in Earth Science.


Now, thanks to technology, we can use a website such as www.daylightmap.com to look at the sunlight on that day all around the world. We can see which areas of the world are experiencing different amounts of sunlight.  We can then either set it to different times and dates to see the changes, or we can do this several times of year and see the changes.  I like to re-introduce it, since this is an area where there are so many misconceptions and confusions, and its so commonly tested.

We do an activity near the start of school (fall equinox), winter solstice (before winter break), summer solstice (end of school)---you get the idea.  Here is the activity that I use for the Winter Solstice


Or, go to www.daylightmap.com and see what creative things you can come up with on your own to help your students understand the real reasons behind the seasons! Please leave a comment with ideas you have :)

A description of a classroom activity and a freebie used to middle and high school science classes to teach about the reasons for the seasons

Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

4 comments :

  1. Thanks for sharing the daylight website! I'm your newest follower!
    Melissa
    Teacher Treasure Hunter

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the comment and thanks for following. I hope you find it useful in your classroom!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am going to share this with my husband, he teaches earth/space science. Awesome!
    -Jen
    That First Grade Blog

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's great! I am teaching middle school this year, but have done mostly earth and space science and will be back to that next year.

    ReplyDelete