What Is the Cause of Seasons?

The cause of seasons is due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the Earth’s orbit around the sun. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees, which means that different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year. This causes the seasons to change as the Earth orbits the sun. During the summer, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, receiving more direct sunlight and causing warmer temperatures. During the winter, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, receiving less direct sunlight and causing colder temperatures. The same process occurs in the southern hemisphere but in opposite seasons.

Test Your Knowledge of Hemispheres, Solstices, Equinoxes, and More!

If you are looking for an activity to use with your students to cover this topic, look no further! Teach Starter has developed a set of 24 task cards for your students to use during your Earth and space unit.

These task cards are designed to help students demonstrate their understanding of the causes of the seasons. Each card presents a different scenario or question related to the topic, and students are asked to explain how the Earth’s tilt and revolution around the sun cause the changes in temperature and daylight that we experience as the seasons. The cards can be used for independent practice, small group work, or as a form of assessment. They are a great tool for reinforcing key concepts and helping students apply their knowledge in a variety of ways.

Through this activity, students demonstrate their understanding of what causes the seasons.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through science centers, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Bellamy Taylor-Pines, a teacher in Illinois and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time: 

teaching resource

What Causes the Seasons? Informative Text Writing Task

Use this scaffolded writing task to have students write about how seasons change.

teaching resource

Rotation vs. Revolution – Sorting Activity

Determine if examples are due to Earth’s rotation or revolution with this sorting activity.

teaching resource

Rotation vs. Revolution – Cut and Paste Worksheet

Demonstrate an understanding of rotation vs. revolution with this cut and paste worksheet.