Why do direct rays heat the ground more than indirect rays?

Direct rays pack their energy into a smaller area, so each spot gets more energy and heats up more. Slanted, indirect rays spread the same energy over a larger area.

Why are the seasons opposite in the Southern Hemisphere?

At the June solstice the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away, so the south has winter. In December it is the other way around, and December has the Southern Hemisphere's longest day.

6th Grade Seasons Worksheets

Ages 11-12 · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

Seasons are the yearly changes in temperature and daylight caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun. These seasons pages hold 2 6th grade worksheets, each with an answer key. Why We Have Seasons has students label the solstices and equinoxes on an orbit diagram and explain direct and indirect rays. Hours of Daylight Through the Year has students plot 12 months of sample data on a line graph and explain the pattern with Earth's tilt. Both sheets carry MS-ESS1-1.

6th Grade Science Earth and Space Seasons Clear All

Hours of Daylight Through the Year

Grade6th Grade

TopicEarth and Space

Why We Have Seasons

Grade6th Grade

TopicEarth and Space

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Explore all of our 6th grade earth and space worksheets, covering moon phases and eclipses, seasons, solar system, gravity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. Distance from the Sun does not cause seasons. Earth is closest to the Sun in early January, during northern winter, and the 23.5 degree tilt of its axis is what matters.

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