pointing finger animation

Seasons and Migration

Sue Marvit

Topic:
Earth Science

Type of Web activity:
Sharing Date; Finding and charting Information; Researching

Materials / Software needed:
Web browser and graphing program

Materials for construction:

As specified in Hands on Activities link

Audience:
Student and Teacher

Grade Level:
6-8

Time involved:
February 2 to June 1 variable, plus graphing day length during year

 

Created on:
8/4/00

 

 


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Understanding the Seasons

Using a combination of hands on astronomy lessons and web exploration activities students will increase their understanding of why seasons change. They will chart the hours of daylight in their hometowns using a daily satelite uplink, keep a "Signs of Spring" journal to share share on a global data base, and using an interactive nature program, learn more about the animals and plants in their local environment.

Common misconceptions:

In summer the earth is closer to the Sun, so it's warmer. In winter, the earth is farther away from the Sun, so it's colder

Hands on activities:

As a class or individually complete the activities in chapter two of Eyes in the Sky, Feet on the Ground. You can find them at: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/the_book/Chap2/Chapter2.html

Web activities:

See what happens to day length during the year. Make a chart of sunrise and sunset from information available on the web. Enter the zip code for your town at: http://www.weather.com/weather/cities/us_co_boulder.html

When are the days and nights of equal length?

Get a visual image as you go along from satellites above the earth. Watch the shadow move. Go to www.fourmilab.to/earthview

During Spring Season, from February 2 until June 1, keep a journal of plants, birds and animals that you see each month. Record your data at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/orientation/About.html and watch the "wave" of activity around the globe. Go to the "We can't track Spring without you link."

By entering your city name, or even better, your latitude and longitude, you can find out what plants and birds should be found in your area. Go to www.eNature.com . Import some images for your journal.

Quiz: Under construction

 

 

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