Modeling Sunlight Angles

4.B.2 Develop and use models of patterns in the Earth-Sun system to identify the cause-and-effect relationships between Earth’s tilt, solar elevation, and sunlight energy on Earth’s surface and seasonal temperature differences.

See Key for “What causes the seasons in Australia and why are they opposite of our seasons?” for guidance.

If students are struggling to clarify their thinking around the different spatial cause-and-effect relationships of the position of the Sun and Earth for seasons at different locations on Earth, allow them to use the physical modeling supplies. Let them manipulate the Earth and Sun with you and begin by explaining verbally. Then encourage them to write or draw their thinking on paper.

Offer an optional extension reading if students finish early, or send it as home learning. Display slide N. Say, The tilt of Earth as it orbits the Sun explains a lot of different patterns that we experience on Earth. Some of them we experience here in the Northern Hemisphere, and some of them we need to travel in order to experience. Offer students The Equator, the Midnight Sun, and the Analemma as an optional extension reading about other things we can explain with this model, including the midnight Sun and the annalema. This reading is also available as a handout.