An axis is an imaginary straight line through Earth which rotates around it.

An orbit is the regular route in space that one object takes around another, for example, the path Earth takes around the Sun.

A cycle is something that happens from start to finish, usually before it starts again and repeats.

The Sun is a star around which Earth orbits. It is the source of light and heat for our planet.

Introducing the seasons

Geography

This unit links to understanding what the UK is like and how seasonal weather is a part of this; it links directly to 'Cold places: What is it like at the North and South Poles?'  and 'Hot places: Where are they and what are they like?'. 

This unit builds on what has been learnt in 'Local area: Where do we go to school?' and 'Local area: Where do we live?', which look at the local area and involve some weather investigation as well as noticing seasonal change, and on 'Continents and oceans', which introduces some formal earth geometry, the idea of the Earth rotating and orbiting around the sun.

Seasons: how does the weather change through the year?

How many hours does the Earth take to complete one rotation of its axis? 

The Earth rotates on its axis. This takes 24 hours. What does this give us?

How many days does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?

The Equator is an imaginary line that runs around the __________ of the Earth?

Places that are tilted towards the Sun experience __________ seasons.

When it is night time in the UK, the Earth is facing ...

In which season does the UK experience the coldest temperatures?

The position of the Earth's orbit gives us what?

Starter Quiz