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REASONZ 4 SEASONZ webquest **// "Reasons like seasons they constantly change and the seasons of last year, like reasons, have floated away." ~Something Corporate // **

Introduction Why do we have seasons? Why is winter colder than summer? Is it because the Earth is closer to the Sun in summer than winter? This WebQuest will help you understand the reasons for the seasons. Take your time and complete each task carefully. If you do, you’ll be surprised just how much you will learn.

You have been hired by an educational publishing company to produce posters for middle school science classrooms. Your first poster is to be one that shows why seasonal changes occur. Since many students have the wrong idea about what causes seasons (they think that they are caused by the Earth being closer to the Sun during the summer) it is very important that your poster be very accurate. Your poster will answer the question "What causes seasons?" //After you have researched the information for your poster,// you will work in the classroom and make your poster.
 * __ Task __

__Process__

// Misconceptions // Many people think seasons are caused by the Earth being closer to the Sun during the summer and further away in the winter. This is a misconception. Use the resources below to find common misconceptions students have about the reasons for the seasons. ** [|**Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy - Misconceptions**] [|**What Causes the Seasons?**] [|**Common Misconceptions**] [|**The Seasons**]
 * Once you have the information about the misconceptions, it’s time to learn the real reasons.

//It’s the Tilt, Baby!// The //real reason// for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth. Go the websites below. Use the information you learn from the websites to explain the tilt of the Earth. You will need this information to make your poster. ** [|**Earth's Tilt Is the Reason for the Seasons!**] [|**Earth’s Revolution and Sun Angle**] [|**Earth's Seasons**] [|**Earth’s Tilt and the Seasons**] [|**The Seasons**] [|**What Causes the Seasons?**] [|**Seasons and the Tilt**] [|**Seasons and the Tilt Interactive**] [|**Why is the Earth Tilted?**]** (podcast) ** [|**The Sun’s Yearly Cycle**] [|**The Seasons Explained**] //**Earth Location and Seasons**// [|**Earth’s Appearance Different Times During the Year**] [|**Seasons Interactive**] [|**Cause of the Seasons Animations/Interactives**] [|**The Reason for the Seasons Applet**]
 * As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the tilt of the Earth affects the seasons. The direction of the tilt //never// changes. It is always pointing towards the North Star (Polaris). You will use the information from the websites to make your poster. Your poster will show the location of the Earth at each season. //Make sure the tilt is in the right direction!// **

// **What’s Your Angle?** // [|**Earth Sun Geometry**] [|**Direct/Indirect Sunlight Interactive**] [|**Earth’s Revolution and Sun Angle**] [|**Sun/Angle Lab**] [|**Sun Angle and Light**] [|**Earth’s Revolution and Sun Angle**] [|**Understanding the Seasons Through Pictures**] [|**Observing the Sky: Motion of the Earth - Seasons**] [|**The Seasons**] __ //[|**Printable Copy**]//
 * = **World Sunlight Map** ||
 * < [[image:http://www.gmodules.com/ig/images/plus_google.gif link="@http://fusion.google.com/ig/add?synd=open&source=ggyp&moduleurl=http://static.die.net/earth/gadget.xml"]] ||> **Gadgets** **powered by Google** ||
 * < [[image:http://www.gmodules.com/ig/images/plus_google.gif link="@http://fusion.google.com/ig/add?synd=open&source=ggyp&moduleurl=http://static.die.net/earth/gadget.xml"]] ||> **Gadgets** **powered by Google** ||
 * < [[image:http://www.gmodules.com/ig/images/plus_google.gif link="@http://fusion.google.com/ig/add?synd=open&source=ggyp&moduleurl=http://static.die.net/earth/gadget.xml"]] ||> **Gadgets** **powered by Google** ||
 * We have learned that the Earth’s tilt is responsible for the seasons. We have also learned how the position of the Earth as it goes around the Sun affects the seasons. The next question is, “How do the tilt and the Earth’s position affect the seasons?” Use the resources below to get the information you need to make your poster.**
 * Evaluation** __
 * Here is how your posters will be evaluated: **
 * **CATEGORY** || **4** || **3** || **2** || **1** ||
 * ** Required Elements ** || ** The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information. ** || ** All required elements are included on the poster. ** || ** All but one of the required elements are included on the poster. ** || ** Several required elements were missing. ** ||
 * ** Content - Accuracy ** || ** All the facts are accurate at a level above requirements as determined by the teacher. ** || ** All the facts on the poster are accurate. ** || ** Most of the facts on the poster are accurate. ** || ** Few of the facts on the poster are accurate. ** ||
 * ** Attractiveness ** || ** The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. ** || ** The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. ** || ** The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. ** || ** The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. ** ||
 * ** Mechanics ** || ** Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the poster. ** || ** There is one error in capitalization or punctuation. ** || ** There are two errors in capitalization or punctuation. ** || ** There are more than two errors in capitalization or punctuation. ** ||

As you have researched the information required for the poster, you have learned about the reasons for the seasons. Your challenge is to remember this information and share it whenever someone does not understand the reasons for the seasons.**
 * __ Conclusion __