What Causes the Seasons



	What Causes the Seasons? Cindy Fry, Sandy Kelnhofer, Barbara Quintasket Paschal Sherman Indian School, Omak, Washington
	Summary Students explore what causes the seasons. Grade level Third Grade Time required Three hours Materials The Colville story, “Coyote Arranges the Seasons” Drama supplies: Art supplies, recyclable materials, costumes Okanogan Salish words for months and season of the year Globe Flashlight Goals By completing this lesson, students will gain knowledge of why the seasons occur, learn a traditional wisdom story, create their own wisdom story and develop science process skills. Science standards addressed National Science Standards Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Changes in Earth and sky American Indian Science Standards Objects in the sky as exemplified by historical American Indian lunar calendars, traditional stories, and knowledge of weather patterns, constellations and the habits of birds Teacher tips Invite a native speaker to teach students the Okanogan Salish words for months and seasons Learn the Coyote story so it can be told, instead of read, in keeping with oral tradition or ask an elder to tell the story. For a review of what causes the seasons, visit the NASA Kids web site, at the addresses found in the Resources section. Background information The seasons occur because the tilt of Earth's axis never changes while Earth orbits around the Sun. The north end of the axis always points in the same direction, almost directly to the North Star. On June 21, the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun and the Northern Hemisphere receives most of the sunlight. On or about December 21, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. At this time, the Northern Hemisphere receives the least amount of the sunlight. This is the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. These times are called the summer and winter solstice. Procedure Engagement Invite an elder to tell the Colville wisdom story, Coyote Arranges the Seasons. Discuss parts of the story that relate to the sun and seasons. Could Coyote ever catch Sun? When Coyote traveled west, why did the Sun drop out of sight? When Coyote traveled east, why was the Sun in the middle of the sky by the time he got there? Why was the Sun so hot at the beginning of the story? Does the Sun actually rest? Ask the elder to teach students the Okanogan Salish words for the months and seasons. Exploration Ask students what they think causes the seasons. Go to the NASA Kids web site at to view a short movie called Earth’s Seasons. Watch repeatedly and discuss. As a whole group demonstration, shine a flashlight at about 90 degree angle and then at about a 120 degree angle on grid paper. Now repeat on a tilted globe. Ask students what they notice about the spreading of the Sun’s rays in each case. Review terms such as equator, poles, Northern and Southern hemisphere. Ask student volunteers to play the part of Earth (holding a large globe) and Sun (holding a bright flashlight or lamp). Suspend a star on one side of the room that the North Pole should always point to. As Earth orbits, ask students what they notice about the Sun’s rays on Earth. Ask them what effect this must have on the weather. Ask students to predict Earth’s position for each of the other seasons. Explanation Divide the class into small groups. Have them discuss how they can illustrate what causes the seasons. Make props and art materials available. Have each group present to the class and explain their ideas. Elaboration Brainstorm ideas for a story that answers the question: “What causes the seasons?” Have student write, edit, and illustrate their story. Have student read their story to a younger student buddy. Follow up activities Act out the stories. Divide the class into drama groups and have students select their part. Provide various art materials and have students make masks, props or costumes for the play. Resources Web sites NASA Kids A Change of Seasons – Provides information about and animation of seasons http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/News/1999/News-equinox.asp Earth Seasons – Provides a movie showing Earth’s orbital movements that cause the seasons http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/earth/seasons/EarthSeasons.asp