During my earth science unit, I need a good visual for students to learn about how the seasons work and why to cover standard:

S2E2. Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
c. Relate the length of the day and night to the change in seasons (for example: Days are longer than the night in the summer.)

To do this, I use this science seasons demonstration using a globe of the earth and a flashlight. I also need some student volunteers.

The flashlight represents the sun and the globe, of course, is the earth (put a star or some sort of marker to show where you are on the earth). Student with the globe moves (revolves) around the sun, while also rotating. We discuss how the days are made when the earth rotates one time, because the sun shines on one side of the earth during the day, and is facing away from the sun during the night.

 

 

As the earth revolves around the sun, the tilt of the earth causes different parts of the earth to be facing the sun, creating seasons and longer or shorter days.

 

A great book to read to students to introduce the sun is The Sun: Our Nearest Star by Branley and Miller

photo credit: nevittlessonplan.blogspot.com