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Midnight Sun & Polar Night

CONCEPTUAL
SciencePolar Regions|Ages 5—7|ID: mt_3duNkf6Qmr

Know that at the poles, daylight and darkness are extreme — in summer the Sun never fully sets (midnight sun) and in winter the Sun never rises (polar night lasting months) — and that this is very different from what we experience at home, where every day has both daylight and darkness

Mastery Evidence

  • Describe midnight sun: in polar summer, the Sun stays above the horizon all day and night
  • Describe polar night: in polar winter, the Sun stays below the horizon for weeks or months
  • Compare this to normal day-night patterns at home, noting the dramatic difference

Assessment Prompt

“Does [child] know the amazing fact that at the poles, the Sun doesn't set at all in summer and doesn't rise at all in winter — so there can be months of daylight or months of darkness?”

Prerequisites1

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  • Where Are the Poles? hard

    Must know about the poles before understanding extreme day/night cycles there

Unlocks1