Texas Instruments
Sands of Time
Twelfth graders explore an application of integration. A calculus lesson prompts class members to find the length of the day where they live during the winter and summer solstice. Using data relating to the solstices at various...
Weber State University
The Sun and the Seasons
Why is there more daylight in June than in December if you live above the equator? How does the angle of sunlight shift throughout the year? Answer these questions and more with an interactive article about the sun, its path through the...
CK-12 Foundation
Seasons: Shadow Lengths
Before iPhones and calendars, how did humans determine the seasons of the year? Middle school scientists discover how to use shadows to determine the time of year in an enlightening interactive. Pupils manipulate the sun and examine the...
Stanford University
Solstice and Equinox Season Model
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
Core Knowledge Foundation
A Time for All Seasons - Summer
The sun is shining and the birds are singing, what better time to teach young learners about the fun season of summer. In this week-long science series, children learn how the rotation and orbit of the earth influence the days and...
Curated OER
Bill Nye Video: Earth's Seasons
In this earth's seasons activity, students answer fill in the blank questions after seeing Bill Nye's video. Topics include the rotation of the earth around the sun, the tilt of the earth, the time zones and sunlight.
Curated OER
Student Exploration: Summer and Winter
In this recognizing the seasons online/interactive instructional activity, students explore the Earth's positions and determine the summer and winter season. Students answer 21 short answer questions
Curated OER
Winter and Summer Storms Scenarios
Fourth graders discover the patterns that create summer and winter storms. Working in groups, they create model storms for summer and winter. Students discuss the reasons why summer storms and winter storms are different and explain...
Curated OER
Seeing Solar Processes
In this seasons activity, students compare 24 hour filmstrips for a single day in Canada, the U.S.A., and the Arctic Circle to determine the different seasons. This activity has 12 fill in the blank.
Curated OER
Determining Hours of Daylight
In this daylight hours worksheet, students will study illustrations showing the length of day at every 10-degrees of latitude for the winter and summer solstices. Students will complete 4 short answer questions based on the illustrations.
Curated OER
Seasons' Journey: As the World Turns
Fourth graders explore the earth's revolution around the sun and the changes in weather that follow this motion.
Other
Lunar and Planetary Institute: Sky Tellers: Myths, Magic, Mysteries of Universe
Very nice website with excellent graphics depicting the change of the seasons and how the seasons are different between the northern and southern hemisphere. Also has a nice informational table of the spring and fall equinox and summer...
Other
Earth Sky: Everything You Need to Know: December Solstice 2014
Winter solstice, earliest sunset, latest sunrise. It seems that, in the Northern Hemisphere anyway, these three events should happen on the same day. Read this explanation of the changing of the seasons and learn why the winter solstice...
DOGO Media
Dogo News: Week of 6 27 16: Summer Solstice and Strawberry Moon a Perfect Day!
Today, June 20, happens to be the first day of summer or summer "solstice." Derived from the Latin words "sol" for "sun" and "sisto" for "stop," it is the day when the North Pole is most inclined towards the sun. As a result, residents...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Confluence Creations: Chaco Canyon Tour
Take a tour of the Chaco Canyon archaeological site. The map takes you to the many dwellings and important astronomical sites. Virtual tours are available if you have Quick Time.
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey: The Seasons
Find out what the seasons are and how they change. Through the use of excellent graphics, content explores the Earth's orbit around the sun and how sunlight reaches the earth at equinox and the winter solstice.
Other
Ancient Ohio Trail: Fort Ancient
Although this is a travel site, the information and detail it contains about Fort Ancient is very scholarly. Included are short videos about the area, and several maps.
Read Works
Read Works: The Longest and Shortest Days
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the longest and shortest days of the year in the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: A Song for All Seasons
After listening to excerpts from four of the violin concertos from "The Four Seasons" by Italian composer and violinist, Antonio Vivaldi, decide which excerpt was meant to go with which season, and also decide where the earth would be in...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Tracking Sunrise and Sunset
Young scholars will collect, record, and graph the sunrise and sunset times to see how they change throughout the year.
National Geographic
National Geographic: A Reason for the Season
This site provides a learning activity that can be adapted for all age levels that deals with the seasons. Students are asked to become a "season sleuth" and discover what causes the seasons to change.
NumberNut
Number Nut: Calendar Origins
History and mathematics merge in this lesson that explores the origin of the calendar. Learn how it all got started in this detailed lesson that includes a simple months of the year game and a more challenging time conversion game. Both...
Other
Montana State University: Spring and Fall Equinox
This Montana State University site provides a simple chart on the spring and fall equinox and a description of the process.