About Seesaw Sign Up

Teachers, save “Seasons and Solstices” to assign it to your class.

Melissa Bradley, Ed.S. (Education Leadership Specialist)

Seasons and Solstices

Grades: 8th Grade
Subjects: Science

Student Instructions

Earth makes one complete revolution about the Sun each year. Changes in the seasons are caused not by the varying distance between Earth and the Sun but by the tilt of Earth on its axis during that revolution. As Earth orbits the Sun, there are times of the year when the North Pole is alternately tilted toward the Sun or tilted away from the Sun. At other times the axis is generally parallel to the incoming Sun’s rays. Using pencil draw Earth in four positions—at the March and September equinoxes and the June and December solstices, around the Sun. Clearly indicate the tilt of Earth’s axis. Include the Sun and the direction of Earth’s revolution around the Sun. Indicate the angle of the Sun’s rays at each position.

Loading