lenny

What's the Seasonal Scoop?

user image

Lesson Plan

What's the Seasonal Scoop?

Students will be able to identify the four seasons and describe the Earth's tilt as the primary cause of seasonal patterns.

Understanding seasons helps us make sense of the world around us, from the clothes we wear to the activities we enjoy, and how these changes are predictable.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a hands-on activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Seasonal Scoop Slide Deck, Warm-Up: Seasonal Snapshot, Seasonal Spin Activity Instructions, Seasonal Spin Activity Sheet, and Seasonal Wrap-Up: Quick Check

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Seasonal Snapshot

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Warm-Up: Seasonal Snapshot to students.
    * Instruct students to draw or write about something they associate with each of the four seasons.
    * Briefly discuss a few student responses to activate prior knowledge.

Step 2

Introducing the Seasonal Scoop

5 minutes

  • Display Seasonal Scoop Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
    * Ask students: "What are the four seasons? What makes them different?"
    * Introduce the lesson objective: We'll uncover why seasons change in a predictable pattern.

Step 3

Earth's Tilt and Orbit Explained

10 minutes

  • Display Seasonal Scoop Slide Deck (Slide 4-6).
    * Explain Earth's orbit around the sun.
    * Introduce the concept of Earth's tilt and how it's the key reason for seasons, affecting how much direct sunlight different parts of Earth receive.
    * Use the slide deck visuals or a globe and flashlight to demonstrate this concept clearly.
    * Discuss how the tilt leads to longer days/more direct sunlight in summer and shorter days/less direct sunlight in winter.

Step 4

Seasonal Spin Activity

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Quick Check

3 minutes

lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

What's the Seasonal Scoop?

Uncovering the mysteries of Earth's changing seasons!

Greet students, introduce the exciting topic of seasons. Ask them to think about their favorite season and why.

What are the Seasons?

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter!
What makes each one special?

Ask students to brainstorm what they know about each season (weather, activities, nature). Briefly review the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall), Winter.

Why Do Seasons Change?

Is it magic? Is the Earth moving?

Pose the question to pique curiosity. Emphasize that it's a 'scoop' we're about to uncover!

Earth's Grand Tour

Our Earth travels all the way around the Sun once every year!

Explain that Earth goes around the Sun (orbits). Use a simple analogy if helpful (e.g., walking around a table). Mention it takes one year.

The Earth is Tilted!

Imagine Earth is always leaning a little bit. This 'tilt' is super important!

Crucial concept: Introduce Earth's tilt. Use a globe demonstration if available. Explain that one part of Earth is always tilted towards or away from the Sun.

Sunlight's Angle

When a part of Earth tilts towards the Sun, it gets more direct sunlight – hello, Summer!
When it tilts away, sunlight is less direct – time for Winter!

Explain how the tilt causes direct vs. indirect sunlight, leading to warmer (summer) or cooler (winter) temperatures. Link this to day length.

The Seasonal Scoop Revealed!

Seasons change because:

  • Earth orbits the Sun.
  • Earth is tilted on its axis!
  • The tilt changes how much direct sunlight parts of Earth receive.

Review the main points. Ask students if they have any remaining questions or a 'new scoop' they learned today.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm-Up: Seasonal Snapshot

Think about the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall), and Winter.

For each season below, draw a picture OR write 1-2 sentences about something you see, feel, or do during that time of year.

Spring












Summer












Autumn (Fall)












Winter












lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Seasonal Spin Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Part 1: Earth's Journey

Draw a simple diagram showing the Sun and Earth orbiting around it. Label the Sun and the Earth. Show the Earth's orbit as a path around the Sun.













Part 2: The Tilt Tells All!

Now, draw a diagram that shows the Earth tilted on its axis at two different points in its orbit. For each point, show how the tilt causes one hemisphere (Northern or Southern) to receive more direct sunlight and the other to receive less direct sunlight.

  • Label which season (Summer or Winter) each hemisphere is experiencing in your diagram.
  • Use arrows or shading to show where the sunlight is most direct.













Part 3: Explain it!

In your own words, explain how the Earth's tilt, combined with its orbit around the Sun, causes the seasons. (Hint: Think about direct vs. indirect sunlight!)





















lenny
lenny

Activity

Seasonal Spin Activity Instructions

Objective: To understand how Earth's tilt and orbit create the seasons.

Materials: Seasonal Spin Activity Sheet, Pencil, (Optional: Colored Pencils/Crayons)

Instructions:

  1. Part 1: Earth's Journey (5 minutes)
lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Seasonal Wrap-Up: Quick Check

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Read each question carefully and answer in complete sentences.

  1. What are the four seasons?



  2. What does the Earth do that creates the pattern of seasons?



  3. What is the main reason we have different seasons on Earth? (Hint: It's not how close Earth is to the Sun!)



  4. When your part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, what season is it likely experiencing? Why?






lenny
lenny

Answer Key

Seasonal Wrap-Up: Answer Key

  1. What are the four seasons?

    • Thought Process: Students should recall the common names for the seasons.
    • Answer: The four seasons are Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall), and Winter.

  2. What does the Earth do that creates the pattern of seasons?

    • Thought Process: This question asks about the Earth's movement around the sun.
    • Answer: The Earth orbits, or travels around, the Sun. This orbit takes approximately one year.

  3. What is the main reason we have different seasons on Earth? (Hint: It's not how close Earth is to the Sun!)

    • Thought Process: This is the core concept of the lesson. Students should identify the Earth's tilt.
    • Answer: The main reason we have different seasons is because the Earth is tilted on its axis.

  4. When your part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, what season is it likely experiencing? Why?

    • Thought Process: Students need to connect the tilt direction with the amount of sunlight and the resulting season.
    • Answer: When your part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, it is likely experiencing Summer. This is because the part of the Earth tilted towards the Sun receives more direct sunlight and therefore more heat.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Why Do Seasons Change?

Students will be able to explain the primary reasons for the changing seasons, including Earth's tilt and its orbit around the sun, and identify key characteristics of each season.

Understanding seasons helps students make sense of natural phenomena, climate, and environmental changes around them, fostering curiosity about Earth science.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a quick reflection.

Materials

Why Do Seasons Change? Slide Deck, and Warm-Up: Season Sketch

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Season Sketch

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Warm-Up: Season Sketch to each student.
    - Instruct students to draw or write about their favorite season and one thing they know about why it happens.
    - Allow students to share their responses briefly with a partner or the class.

Step 2

Introduction to Seasons

5 minutes

  • Use the Why Do Seasons Change? Slide Deck to introduce the concept of seasons.
    - Ask students what they already know about why seasons change.
    - Guide a brief discussion, clarifying misconceptions and building on prior knowledge.

Step 3

Earth's Tilt and Orbit

10 minutes

  • Continue through the Why Do Seasons Change? Slide Deck to explain Earth's tilt and orbit.
    - Emphasize how the tilt, not the distance from the sun, causes the seasons.
    - Use visual aids on the slides to illustrate these concepts clearly.
    - Pause for questions and check for understanding.

Step 4

Seasonal Characteristics

5 minutes

  • Discuss the general characteristics of each season (e.g., temperature, daylight hours) using the Why Do Seasons Change? Slide Deck.
    - Connect these characteristics back to the Earth's tilt and how it affects the amount of direct sunlight.
    - Encourage students to share examples of what they observe in different seasons.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Big Idea

5 minutes

  • Distribute a Cool-Down: One Big Idea worksheet.
    - Have students write down one big idea they learned today about why seasons change.
    - Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket.
lenny

Slide Deck

Why Do Seasons Change?

Have you ever wondered why we have different seasons? Let's find out!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of seasons. Ask them to think about their favorite season and what makes it special. Connect to the warm-up activity.

What Are Seasons?

Seasons are different times of the year with unique weather patterns.

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter

What do you notice about each season?

Ask students what they know about seasons. Write down their ideas on the board. Address any initial misconceptions. Transition into the scientific explanation.

It's Not About Distance!

Many people think seasons happen because the Earth is closer or farther away from the sun.

Is this true? No!

Explain that many people mistakenly think seasons are caused by Earth's distance from the sun. Clarify that this is not the main reason.

The Earth's Tilt

Our Earth is tilted on its axis, like a top leaning to one side!

This tilt is the main reason for our seasons.

The Earth's tilt is always pointed in the same direction in space.

Introduce the concept of Earth's tilt. Use a globe or a visual aid to demonstrate the tilt. Explain that the Earth is always tilted in the same direction.

Direct Sunlight & Seasons

When a part of Earth is tilted TOWARDS the sun:

  • It gets more direct sunlight.
  • Days are longer.
  • It's SUMMER!

When a part of Earth is tilted AWAY from the sun:

  • It gets less direct sunlight.
  • Days are shorter.
  • It's WINTER!

Explain how the tilt affects direct sunlight. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it receives more direct sunlight and longer days, leading to summer. When it's tilted away, it gets less direct sunlight and shorter days, causing winter.

Earth's Orbit

The Earth also travels in a big circle around the sun. This is called an orbit.

It takes one full year for Earth to orbit the sun one time.

As Earth orbits, its tilt means different parts get more or less direct sunlight.

Show the Earth orbiting the sun while maintaining its tilt. Emphasize that the orbit itself doesn't cause the seasons, but combined with the tilt, it determines which hemisphere is tilted towards or away from the sun at different times of the year.

Putting It All Together

Seasons change because:

  1. The Earth is tilted on its axis.
  2. The Earth orbits around the sun.

This tilt means different parts of Earth get more or less direct sunlight throughout the year!

Summarize the key takeaways: Earth's tilt and orbit cause the seasons. Briefly reiterate how the tilt changes the intensity of sunlight. Conclude by linking back to the idea of predictable patterns.

lenny