1. Observe, Wonder, and Predict
Have students imagine they are looking down at the Earth from space as you view the animation or click through the slideshow. Encourage them to describe the changes they see from month to month.

2. Explore Patterns of Change
Use guiding questions to help students examine specific patterns of change as you click through the images that reveal month-by-month changes. Challenge them to compare and describe the monthly changes in sunlight at different locations:

Your home town
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Equator

Divide the class into groups and give each group a set of word cards. As they examine the images again, have them use the words to write questions and fact statements.

3. Extend Learning with Helpful Resources
Provide time to explore additional resources to build understanding:

• YouTube Video
• Seasons Simulator
• Where are we now?
• Earth's Seasonal Cycles

Earth's Yearly Cycle

Guiding Questions

Word Cards