Reasons for the Seasons Review

This article really helps address the misconceptions students have about the reasons for the seasons. I find the model to be engaging for students and provides an opportunity for teachers to... See More

This article really helps address the misconceptions students have about the reasons for the seasons. I find the model to be engaging for students and provides an opportunity for teachers to determine students' prior knowledge and misconceptions. This spheres and light activity provides students with an engaging visual that helps them to discover and correct their misconceptions.

Reasons for Seasons

One of the biggest misconceptions children have is why Earth has seasons. This article gives directions for having children construct an inexpensive and practical model. The ability to manip... See More

One of the biggest misconceptions children have is why Earth has seasons. This article gives directions for having children construct an inexpensive and practical model. The ability to manipulate the model allows students confront and correct their misconceptions, essential to building correct understanding. Suggestions for assessment and extensions are included. If you are struggling to teach seasons to your students, try this activity that follows the 5E cycle.

Seasons Misconception

This article shows an easy to make model that helps students to understand the real reason for the seasons. You just need some styrofoam and toothpicks.

A Better Model is Needed

Students in upper elementary grade build a model of the sun’s position in reference to the Earth to explain why the Earth has seasons. This model is designed to correct a misconception ab... See More

Students in upper elementary grade build a model of the sun’s position in reference to the Earth to explain why the Earth has seasons. This model is designed to correct a misconception about this concept. The extension to this activity suggests building a sundial and then an astrolabe to measure the length of shadows. This is not a new approach to understanding the reason for seasons but more needs to be done to further explain this. A more correct representation of the Earth’s orbit around the sun is needed as well.