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S1.2.6

Knows that the Sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the Earth.

What makes cities hot? An urban heat island activity

Explore how differences in surfaces can cause temperature differences on the rnground and in the air, and why

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The Shadow of the Dog

The dogs I know like to be walked at least twice a day -- once in the morning, and once in the evening. But even though I'm the same person and it's the same dog in the morning and evening, our shadows change... In the morning, our shadows point in one direction. This is true regardless of which way we are facing. The shadows of trees, buildings, cars, fire hydrants, and blades of grass all point in the same direction as ours. In the evening, our shadows all point in approximately the opposite direction.

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The Cause of the Earth's Seasons

After an instructor-led discussion, students use a globe and a lamp to determine the cause of the Earth's seasons. This lesson attempts to correct the common misconception that the Earth is closer to the Sun during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes, in order to correct science misconceptions, it is necessary to confront them head on. This lesson encourages students to voice this misconception at the beginning of the lesson and then attempts to correct it first, by exploring the reason for it, and then by presenting an alternate explanation.

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Modeling the Motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun

The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn the relative motions of the Earth, Sun and Moon. Awareness of these different motions is needed to develop an understanding
of the causes of the day/night cycle, the seasons and the cycle of lunar phases.

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