Introduction
A new classmate, Juan, just moved to New York, NY from San Diego, California. He's never experienced fall or winter before because he grew up on the West Coast his entire life. Walking to school this morning, he was very cold! In Southern California right now it's still very warm! He was confused and wanted to know why New York is colder than San Diego right now. The new student sits next to you in homeroom and asks, "Why are there more seasons in New York than San Diego?"
Later in the day at lunch, Juan tells you that their friends want to call him, but when they get out of school and done with surf practice, Juan is already getting ready for bed. Juan is confused by this and doesn't understand why San Diego is 3 hours behind New York.
Task
Your task is to help the new student understand why it is colder in New York! To help this new student here are two questions you should and your partner should answer together:
1. Why does New York have four seasons? (Think: What causes seasons to happen?)
2. Why is it night time in New York when Juan's friend's finish surf practice in San Diego?
Follow along this WebQuest and record your answers in the worksheet passed out in class.
Process
Follow the directions and record your answers to the questions to help the new student answer his questions.
Part 1: Watch this YouTube video on timezones and rotation/revolution. While you watch, listen for the words rotation, revolution, and axis. Write down what they mean on your worksheet.
Think question 1: Based on the video we just watched, why will it be nighttime in New York when Juan's friends in San Diego try to call him after surf practice? Record your answer on your worksheet.
Part 2: Read these pages from your textbook below:
Earth’s Tilt Creates the Seasons
Earth's axis is tilted at an angle in relationship to the sun. Because of this tilt, the Northern and Southern hemispheres receive different amounts of sunlight as Earth moves around the sun. These differences create Earth's seasons.
During the north's summer, half of Earth is tilted toward the sun. This causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive more sunlight for more hours. It allows most places to enjoy hot days.
Winter, the colder part of the year, comes when this hemisphere tilts away from the sun. The days grow short and cool.
Of course, during these same months of winter, the Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun. So in the southern half it is summer. Likewise, when it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in Earth's southern half.
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Think question 2: If today is October 4th, what hemisphere is experiencing fall? Which one is experiencing spring? Record your answer on your worksheet.
Tropics, Circles, and Zones
Because of Earth's tilt, the sun never beats straight down on places in the far north and south. Two lines of latitude mark the northernmost and southernmost points where the sun's rays ever beat straight down. The northern line is called the Tropic of Cancer. The southern line is called the Tropic of Capricorn. The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are at an equal distance from the equator.
The areas between these two lines and the equator are known as tropical zones. Tropical zones receive a lot of sunshine. They are hot all year round. A lot of rain falls, especially in the hot rainy season. There is no winter season.
Two other lines of latitude are the Antarctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle. They mark the zones which receive little direct sunlight. These areas are cold most of the year. This is where the sun doesn’t shine at all on one day each year. The night lasts a full 24 hours. The areas between these circles and the North and South poles are known as polar zones (or frigid zones).
Between the tropical and polar zones lie the temperate zones. These zones lack temperature extremes. Generally, in the temperate zones summers are warm and winters are cool.
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The Tilted Earth
The tilt of Earth on its axis means that some areas receive more sunshine than others each day. This difference creates Earth’s seasons.
Part 3: Visit this NatGeo Map. Click on the legend in the righthand corner.
Think question 3: What do you notice about this map? Is there a pattern in where the colors are across the map? (Hint: Where is it a cold climate? Where is it a hot climate? Write 2-3 observations. (There are no right or wrong answers!)
Find the U.S. on this world map and zoom in by hitting the plus sign "+" in the lefthand corner of your screen. Then find California. Hint: it's shaped like this:
Now find San Diego (Hint: It's near Los Angeles). Use the toolbar to click on the red "drop a pin" symbol and place it on San Diego. Then locate New York City and drop a pin there.
Think question 4: Zoom in until you see the dashes going across the map. How close is San Diego to one of the dashed lines? Which line is it? Is New York close or far away from that same line? Write your answer on your worksheet.
Think question 5: Between San Diego and New York, which one is closer to the equator? Does this matter? Why or why not?
Part 4: Now let's put all of this information together. Based on everything you learned, what would you tell Juan about why it is colder in New York than it is in San Diego right now? Write your answer on your worksheet.
Evaluation
Exit ticket: Using the NatGeo interactive map, pick a city anywhere in the world and drop a pin. Then fill out the exit ticket here by answering the questions.
Conclusion
Homework: Define these geoterms in your notebook
1. rotation
2. revolution
3. axis
4. tropical zones
5. temperate zones
6. polar (frigid) zones