DE Science Middle School

5-Minute Prep for

Our Solar System
Interactions of the Sun-EarthMoon System
Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

The Key Ideas
The moon rotates at the same rate it revolves, about
once every twenty-eight days. The Earth rotates about
once every twenty-four hours.
The moon orbits around the Earth. The Earth and moon
orbit around the sun.
Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth on its axis
as it orbits the sun. The Northern and Southern
Hemispheres have opposite seasons.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

The Key Ideas
Warm seasons occur in each hemisphere when sunlight
reaches that hemisphere more directly. Cold seasons
occur in each hemisphere when sunlight reaches the
hemisphere only indirectly.
Due to the Earth's tilt on its axis, rays of sun striking the
Earth at different angles cause seasonal changes.
Seasons are traditionally divided into four categories and
have unique features.
Seasons happen at different times, depending on
latitude.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

Prior Knowledge

Students should know that the Earth orbits the sun and the
moon orbits the Earth. They should also know that both rotate.
Students should know that seasons vary in different locations
of the world but will probably have misconceptions about what
causes the seasons. It may be helpful to use the Explorations:
To Every Season and Endless Summer before beginning this
unit. It may also help if students:
Know the difference between rotation and revolution.
Know the difference between the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres.
Understand angles and tilt.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

Common Misconceptions
The Earth's orbit brings it closer to the sun in summer
and farther away in winter.
Reality: At any given time, the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres experience opposite
seasons. In fact, the Earth's orbit is actually nearly
circular, so variations in distance from the sun have
little effect compared to the effects of changes in the
angle of incoming sunlight.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

More Common Misconceptions
The hemisphere that is tilted toward the sun
experiences summer because it is closer to the sun.
Reality: The Earth is so small compared to the sun,
and so far away from it, that the difference in
distance between the two hemispheres and the sun
is inconsequential. However, the tilt of the Earth's
axis does affect the angle at which the sun's rays
strike the Earthcalled the angle of incidence
causing the seasons.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

More Common Misconceptions
All planets rotate in the same direction.
Reality: Three planets rotate backward with respect to
the other planets and to the sense of their orbital motion.
The sun does not rotate.
Reality: Like almost everything else in our clockwork
universe, the sun rotates around an invisible axis. It
takes an average of twenty-seven days for the sun to
make a full rotation, though the rate is actually about
twenty-five days at the equator and as many as thirtytwo days near the sun's poles.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

Using DE Science Content
Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for
hyperlinks to these resources, or you can get to them
through the browser or search feature.
Video Segment: The Movement of the Earth
Interactive Video: The Earth's Orbit
Video Segment:
A Spin around the Solar System: Moon Dance
Reading Passage: Earth: Size, Computation of Time,
Seasons

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

Instructional Ideas
Have students use the Reading Passage Earth: Size,
Computation of Time, Seasons to create an organized chart
or display with all of the facts and figures that they learned
from the article.
Students should chose a concept from the Video Segment
The Movement of the Earth to explain to younger students,
employing such hands-on materials as balls, hula hoops,
string, and flashlights. Then, arrange a visit to the nearest
elementary school to present the demonstrations.

Rotation, Orbits, and the Seasons

More Instructional Ideas
Before showing the Video Segment A Spin around the
Solar System: Moon Dance, have students write
questions that they have about the moons movements.
Post the questions and refer back to the list after
watching to see which questions were answered. For
those questions that werent, assign students to research
the answers on their own by exploring other DE Science
resources.

State Standards
If you wish to review your state standards regarding Rotation, Orbits,
and the Seasons, click here to get to the curriculum standards search
feature of DES.
http://search.discoveryeducation.com/CurriculumStandardLookup.cfm
You can click on any standard to see what resources are available for
you to use.