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Lesson Plans > Science > Grades 6 - 8 > Modeling the Change of Seasons
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Kinesthetic Learner
Kinesthetic Learner
Visual Learner
Visual Learner
Auditory Learner
Auditory Learner
Technology Integration
Technology Integration

Modeling the Change of Seasons

Understand the causes of seasonal change

Grade Level: 6-8

Concept: Understand the causes of seasonal change

Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
 
Objectives
Students will be able to:
  • evaluate data to determine changes in length of day
  • model the revolution of Earth around the sun to show changes in length of day and sun angle
  • illustrate how the sun angle affects the change of season
 
Materials
 

Flashlights

Globes

Handout of sunrise and sunset times in your location

Markers

Tracks

*White board (Optional)

 
Differentiation Strategies
These strategies are used to meet the varied needs of all learners:
  • for various grade levelsVarying academic levels: uses mixed-ability groups allow students to learn from one another, uses small- and whole-group discussions to ensure all students participate
  • for visual learnersVisual learners: uses charts and illustrations to show how the length of day and the sun angle differs according to season.
  • for auditory learnersAuditory learners: uses direct questioning and discussion to test and evaluate students’ ideas about length of day and sun angle
  • for kinesthetic learnersKinesthetic learners: engages students in modeling the rotation of Earth around the sun
Key Vocabulary
Earth tilt
Revolution
Sun angle

 

Procedures

Warm Up
  • for auditory learners Ask students to explain how the length of the day varies according to the season.
  • Ask students to write their observation in their journal.
  • for visual learners Distribute a handout showing sunrise and sunset times in your location during the twelve different months of the year. Have them turn to a partner and take 3 or 4 minutes to review the handout and decide whether the data supports their observations.
  • Ask students to copy the data into their journals and describe their conclusions.
  • for auditory learners Have the class share these conclusions.
Direct Instruction
  • for auditory learnersTell students that although the length of day has some influence on the change of season, the main reason for seasons is the change in the angle at which the sun hits the earth.
  • for visual learnersDisplay or draw on the board a diagram of the sun rays hitting Earth at a 90 degree angle and then a diagram of a ray hitting the earth at a 45 degree angle.
  • for auditory learnersExplain that the ray hitting the earth disperses over a greater area, so that the same amount of energy is dispersed over a greater area and less heat is transferred to any given point. 
Practice
  • for various grade levels Seasons Lab-Create mixed-ability groups of five students, grouping ELL students with English-proficient students.
  • for kinesthetic learners Using a flashlight or lamp, a globe or ball, and a tack showing your location, model the change in sun angle and the length of the day during the year. Darken the room, have 4 students stand in a circle, while one holds a light source in the center of the circle, and have the students pass the globe around, maintaining the tilt of Earth.
Assessment
  • for kinesthetic learners Ask groups to illustrate how the light hits the earth in the four different positions.
  • Ask groups to describe under the illustration what happens to the length of the day and night in the four different locations.
  • for kinesthetic learners Have students share their illustrations on the board.
Closure
  • for auditory learnersTell students that people in different locations on Earth experience the seasons differently. Ask them to explain why in their science journals.
  • Cross-curricular extension: Pair up students and have them research the seasons and changes in the length of days and nights in different locations on Earth. Ask them to find myths, holidays, or customs that are associated with the change of seasons in that area and share their discoveries with the class.
 
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