Term 4 Topic 1 Solar energy and the Earths seasons

Ask the learners a few questions [to determine their general knowledge as well as remembering what they had been taught in grade 6] about:

• Seasons
• Solar energy
• Our planet

• Show Video Clip 1: Why is it hotter in summer? Animated Video Explaining the 4 Seasons. [2:47 min.].

• Greet the learners
• Praise them for answering the questions to the best of their abilities.
• Inform them that they will be exploring the Earth’s four seasons and solar energy.
• Show Video Clip 2: Eco Kids Explore - Solar Power [3:00 min.].
• Present an overview of solar energy by using PRESENTATION 1: Solar energy.

• Complete WORKSHEET A: Solar energy and the Earth’s seasons.

• Teacher to use WORKSHEET A: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Ask them questions about day and night.
• From which direction does the Sun rise?
• In which direction does the Sun set?
• Do the seasons have an influence on our clothing, sport, eating habits, etc.?
• Show Video Clip 3: What makes Day and Night Song. [2:16 min.].
• Let them debate about having longer hours per day / longer hours per night.
• Show Video Clip 4: Day and Night Explanation, Causes Science for Kids [4:45 min.].

• Complete WORKSHEET B: Make a model of a globe.

• Teacher to use WORKSHEET B: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Ask the learners if they think that it is important to have trees and plants at school.
• They must motivate their answers.
• Show Video Clip 5: SLIDE SHARE: WHAT CAUSES SEASONS ON EARTH [17 SLIDES]
• Inform the learners that they will be dramatizing the seasons in their groups.
• Find out what their daily routines are as well as their duties/ leisure time/ nights / sleeping patterns / etc.

• Groups are asked to represent one season.
• They can dramatize what happen in their season [food; clothes; sport; weather; etc.].
• Homework: Find pictures of the four seasons; sort and exchange.
• Each group complete their collage of one season.

• Take the learners outside on the tar / grass / playing grounds. Allow them to spin on their toes / heels.
• Give a soccer ball to a few learners so that they can use their one hand’s fingers to spin the ball.
• Show Video Clip 6: The Planets Song. [1:20 min.]
• Ask the learners if they think that it is important to have trees and plants at school.
• They must motivate their answers.

• The learners give their opinions about planting trees and plants at their school.
• They must motivate their answers.

• Show Video 7: Importance of Plants to humans and animals in every days’ life. [6:58 min.].

• Show Video 8: Pimp your brain: Why we need plants [4:46 min.].

 Ask one learner from each row to give feedback about the mouse, oxygen, survival, light energy, photosynthesis; etc.