The Seasons

of the Earth
 Science Word Drill
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Summer Solstice
Autumnal Equinox
Winter Solstice
Vernal Equinox
1. Summer Solstice
• When the North Pole tilts
directly towards the Sun
during June 22.
• When the South Pole tilts
directly to the Sun during
December 22.
 Summer Solstice
• The Northern Hemisphere
experiences Summer while
the Southern Hemisphere
experiences Winter.
Summer Solstice
 2. Autumn or Fall
• As the Earth moves, Summer
turns to Autumn or Fall.
• During September to November,
the axis moves sideways and
both the Northern and Southern
Hemisphere receive equal heat
and light.
Autumn or Fall
 Autumnal Equinox
• When the Sun is directly
overhead in the equator, this is
called Fall or Autumnal Equinox.
• The Autumnal Equinox happens
on September 23 when the night
time and daytime are equal.
Autumnal Equinox
 3. Winter Solstice
• During December – February, the
North Pole is facing away from
the Sun.
• The Northern Hemisphere
receives least energy coming
from the Sun while the Southern
Hemisphere receives the greatest
heat and light.
Winter Solstice
 Winter Solstice
• Areas in the Northern Hemisphere
will experience Winter while areas
in the Southern Hemisphere will
experience Summer.
• During Winter days, night time is
longer than day time.
• Winter arrives with Winter Solstice
on December 22.
Winter Solstice
 4. Spring
• From March to May, the
Earth’s axis is not pointed
towards the Sun.
• Both the Northern and
Southern Hemisphere receive
equal heat and light.
Vernal Equinox
 Spring and Vernal Equinox

• The Spring Equinox comes on

March 21 in the Northern
Hemisphere.
• At this time the Southern
Hemisphere experiences Fall
or the Autumnal Equinox.
Spring and Vernal Equinox
 Key Concepts:
• Rotation is the movement of
the Earth on its axis while
Revolution is the movement
of the Earth around the Sun.
 Key Concepts:
• Earth’s rotation causes day and
night while Earth’s revolution
causes the four season
(Summer, Autumn, Winter,
Spring) in the Temperate Zones.
• The Seasons are caused by the
tilt in the Earth’s axis.
 Amazing Facts
About The Earth’s
Seasons
1. The Midnight Sun
 Midnight Sun
• The Sun never sets in 24
hours.
• During Summer Months in the
places near the North and
South Poles. (Norway and
Alaska)
 2. The Solstices
• June 21 marks the day when
the Earth is turned the most
toward the Sun. This is known
as Summer Solstice. It is the
longest, sunniest day of the
year.
 2. The Solstices
• December 21 marks the day
when the Earth is turned the
farthest from the Sun. This is
known as Winter Solstice. It is
the shortest, darkest day of
the year.
 3. Response to Light
• Plants and trees lose their leaves
in response to the shortening days
and cooler temperatures of fall.
• Trees and plants open new leaf
and flower buds as the weather
warms in spring.
 4. Hibernation
• Winter is a hard
time for animals.
They have a hard
time finding food.
Many hibernate
or sleep more.