Why We Have Seasons
CONCEPTUALExplain that the seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis during its orbit around the Sun, distinguishing this from the common misconception that seasons are caused by changing distance from the Sun
Mastery Evidence
- Explains that Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5° relative to its orbit
- Describes how the tilted axis causes one hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight in summer and less in winter
- Refutes the misconception that distance from the Sun causes seasons by noting Earth is actually slightly closer to the Sun in January
Assessment Prompt
“If [child] was asked why the UK is hot in summer but Australia is cold at the same time, could they explain that it's not about being closer to the Sun but about which half of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun?”
Curriculum Standards2 alignments
MS-ESS1-1Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle Schoolcodes onlyKS3.Sci.Phys.SpacePhysics.2The national curriculum in Englandour Sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies; the Sun as the power source for the solar system
Prerequisites3
- The solar system (age 11+)softAges 11—12
- Earth & Space VocabularyhardAges 8—11
- Earth's rotation and day/nighthardAges 9—11
Show full prerequisite tree
- The solar system (age 11+) soft
Knowing the solar system's structure and Earth's orbital path provides context for understanding axial tilt and seasons
- The solar system hard
Detailed solar system structure (moons, asteroids, comets, orbital periods) extends KS2 overview of planets orbiting the Sun
- Naming the Planets hard
Describing sun, Earth, and moon as spherical bodies and planets orbiting the sun requires solar system vocabulary
- Sun, Moon, and stars hard
Must observe sun/moon patterns before learning about the solar system model
- Naming the Planets hard
Describing predictable patterns of sun, moon, and stars requires planet, star, moon, orbit vocabulary
- Why seasons change hard
Must observe sun/moon/star patterns before relating daylight to time of year
- Naming the Planets soft
Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
- Naming the Planets hard
Describing the detailed solar system structure including moons, asteroids, and comets requires all this vocabulary
- Earth & Space Vocabulary hard
Explaining seasons through axial tilt requires 'axis', 'tilt', 'orbit', 'solstice', and 'equinox' vocabulary
- Earth's rotation and day/night hard
Explaining seasons via axial tilt builds on understanding Earth's rotation and the orbital geometry of Earth around the Sun
- The solar system hard
Must understand Earth orbits the sun before explaining rotation causes day/night
- Naming the Planets hard
Describing sun, Earth, and moon as spherical bodies and planets orbiting the sun requires solar system vocabulary
- Sun, Moon, and stars hard
Must observe sun/moon patterns before learning about the solar system model
- Naming the Planets hard
Describing predictable patterns of sun, moon, and stars requires planet, star, moon, orbit vocabulary
- Why seasons change hard
Must observe sun/moon/star patterns before relating daylight to time of year
- Naming the Planets soft
Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
- Naming the Planets soft
Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
- Earth & Space Vocabulary hard
Explaining day and night using Earth's rotation requires 'rotation' and 'axis' vocabulary
- Earth's Spin & Orbit soft
Enrichment knowledge of Earth's rotation and orbit supports formal explanation of day/night cycle
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
- The Sun is a star hard
Must know the Sun-centred system before understanding Earth's rotation and orbit within it
- Why seasons change soft
Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification
- Naming the Planets soft
Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
- Sun, Moon & Stars hard
Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system
- Why seasons change soft
Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification
- Naming the Planets soft
Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
- Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
- Ordering Events in Time hard
Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically
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