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

  1. gain knowledge of why the seasons occur,
  2. learn a traditional wisdom story,
  3. create their own wisdom story and
  4. develop science process skills.

Science standards addressed
National Science Standards

American Indian Science Standards

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

  1. 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.
  2. Ask the elder to teach students the Okanogan Salish words for the months and seasons.

Exploration

  1. Ask students what they think causes the seasons.
  2. Go to the NASA Kids web site at to view a short movie called Earth’s Seasons. Watch repeatedly and discuss.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

  1. 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