S3.12.5 For the adult
Seasons around the world
Why is it summer in one place while it is winter in another? Why is it warm all year at the equator?
What this chapter teaches
The two halves of the Earth have opposite seasons. Near the equator the midday Sun is always high and the days stay about 12 hours, so it stays warm. The overhead Sun moves between the two tropics, and the rain belt follows it, roughly, to make wet seasons.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Why is it winter in the south when it is summer in the north?
- Why does the equator stay warm all year?
- What happens to the rain belt when the overhead Sun moves north?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain why the two hemispheres have opposite seasons
- Explain why places near the equator stay warm all year
- Explain how the rain belt follows the overhead Sun to make wet seasons
What they copy into their notebook
North and south have opposite seasons. Near the equator the Sun is always high, so it stays warm. The rain belt follows the overhead Sun and makes the wet seasons.