6th Grade Science | Earth’s Motion, Seasons, and Scientific Thinking
Essential Question: How does Earth’s movement around the Sun affect the seasons?
Have you ever wondered why some months are hot and others are cold?
Why do we have long summer days and shorter winter days? And why does the weather change as the year goes by?
The answer has a lot to do with how Earth moves around the Sun!
In this investigation, we will explore Earth’s movements and discover how they help create the seasons.
We will also practice using the C.E.R. Strategy to explain our scientific discoveries.
🧠 What Is C.E.R.?
C.E.R. stands for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning.
Scientists use this strategy to explain what they learn during investigations.
It helps us answer three important questions:
- Claim: What do I think?
- Evidence: How do I know?
- Reasoning: Why does my evidence support my claim?
Let’s learn how to use each part!
C = CLAIM: What do you think?
A claim is a statement that answers a scientific question.
Your claim should be clear and based on what you learned or observed.
Example:
Question: Does Earth move around the Sun?
Claim: Earth travels around the Sun.
This is a clear statement, but scientists need evidence to support their claims!
E = EVIDENCE: How do you know?
Evidence includes facts, observations, measurements, and information collected during an investigation.
Example:
Scientists observe that Earth completes one trip around the Sun in about 365 days.
This fact helps support our claim about Earth’s movement.
R = REASONING: Why does your evidence matter?
Reasoning explains how your evidence supports your claim using scientific ideas.
Example:
Earth’s yearly path around the Sun is called an orbit. The time it takes Earth to complete one orbit is about one year.
Reasoning helps connect our evidence to what we know about science.
☀️ How Does Earth Move?
Earth is always moving, even when we cannot feel it!
Earth has two important movements that we will study.
1. Rotation: Earth Spins!
Rotation is when Earth spins on its axis.
An axis is an imaginary line that runs through Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Earth completes one rotation in about 24 hours.
This movement creates day and night.
When your part of Earth faces the Sun, it is daytime.
When your part of Earth faces away from the Sun, it is nighttime.
Remember: Rotation causes day and night!
2. Revolution: Earth Travels Around the Sun!
Revolution is Earth’s movement around the Sun.
Earth follows a path called an orbit.
It takes about 365¼ days for Earth to complete one revolution.
That is why we have a year!
But there is something else that makes Earth’s journey interesting.
Earth is tilted!
🌍 Earth’s Tilt: The Secret Behind the Seasons!
Earth does not stand perfectly straight as it travels around the Sun.
Its axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees.
This tilt is very important because it helps create our seasons.
As Earth travels around the Sun, different parts of our planet receive different amounts of direct sunlight.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it receives more direct sunlight and has longer days.
That is when we experience summer!
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it receives less direct sunlight and has shorter days.
That is when we experience winter!
Spring and fall happen as the amount of daylight and direct sunlight changes between summer and winter.
Important: The seasons are not caused by Earth moving much closer to or farther away from the Sun.
They happen because of Earth’s tilt as it revolves around the Sun.
🍂 What Happens During Each Season?
Here is what happens in the Northern Hemisphere, where Arizona is located.
| Season | What Happens? |
|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring | Days become longer, and sunlight becomes more direct. |
| ☀️ Summer | Days are longer, and sunlight is more direct. |
| 🍁 Fall | Days become shorter, and sunlight becomes less direct. |
| ❄️ Winter | Days are shorter, and sunlight is less direct. |
Did you know that when it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?
That is because the two halves of Earth are tilted in different directions compared to the Sun!
🔬 Our Investigation: Why Do We Have Seasons?
During this investigation, you will study how Earth’s position and tilt affect the seasons.
You will look at models or diagrams showing Earth at different places in its orbit around the Sun.
As you investigate, think about these questions:
- How is Earth tilted as it travels around the Sun?
- Which hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun?
- Which hemisphere receives more direct sunlight?
- How does Earth’s position affect the amount of daylight?
- How can we use our observations to explain the seasons?
Pay close attention to the direction of Earth’s tilt and the sunlight reaching each hemisphere.
Remember, your job is not just to identify the seasons. Your job is to explain why they happen!
✏️ Using C.E.R. to Explain the Seasons
After your investigation, you will use C.E.R. to explain your findings.
CLAIM — What did you learn?
Sentence starters:
- I believe that seasons are caused by…
- Earth’s tilt affects the seasons because…
- Based on the model, I think…
EVIDENCE — What did you observe?
Sentence starters:
- In the diagram, I noticed…
- The model showed that…
- One piece of evidence is…
REASONING — Why does your evidence support your claim?
Sentence starters:
- This evidence supports my claim because…
- When a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun…
- I know this because…
Make sure your reasoning explains how Earth’s tilt and revolution work together to create the seasons.
🌟 Why Is This Important?
Understanding Earth’s movements helps us explain many things we experience every day.
It helps us understand why:
- The amount of daylight changes during the year.
- Some seasons are warmer than others.
- The Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons.
- Earth’s yearly movement creates a pattern we can study and predict.
Scientists use observations and evidence to understand these patterns.
You can do the same!
🎯 Your Science Challenge!
Imagine that it is December.
Here in Arizona, the days are shorter and the weather is colder.
But in Australia, which is in the Southern Hemisphere, it is summer!
Think about this question:
How can two places on the same planet have different seasons at the same time?
Before beginning your investigation, write down:
- One claim about why Arizona and Australia have different seasons.
- One fact or observation that might support your claim.
- One question you still have about Earth’s movement.
Keep your ideas ready! You will use what you learn during the investigation to build a stronger scientific argument.
Remember: Great scientists do not just observe the world. They use claims, evidence, and reasoning to explain how it works! 🌎🔬
Next Steps:
- Group Work: Work in groups of 2-3 to complete the Encounter the Phenomenon activity on pages 7-9 of your workbook.
- On Your Own: Watch the video below and then complete the Investigation Activity on page 10. Earth’s Rotation and Revolution video.
- Turn It In: Put a post-it note on page 10 of your workbook. Turn your workbook in by placing it neatly in the black crate.
- When you are done: Review the What to do When You Are Finished post.
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