The Reasons for Seasons

Written and Illustrated by Gail Gibbons

Picture Found Here

Web lesson design by Stephanie Alva and Lauren Bailey

Intended for 3rd grade readers

Welcome to this interactive website

Please use this website as a guide while you read Gail Gibbons' book The  Reasons for Seasons.  This book explains in detail how the sun and the earth work together to make the four seasons that we enjoy: winter, spring, summer, fall.  As you read this book you will learn the scientific terms that explain the changes in the seasons.  You will learn interesting facts about what happens to special  places on the Earth because of the seasons.  Pay special attention to the detailed pictures showing how the Earth changes from one season to another. 

About the Author

Gail Gibbons has always been a curious person constantly asking, “How does that work?”  Her college studies took her to the University of Illinois where she studied graphic design.  After working for a smaller television station in New York City, she took a job at P. B. S.  Many of her co-workers at P. B. S. encouraged her to start producing children’s books.  Since then she has had more than 135 of her books published.  She and her husband have two homes, one in Vermont and one in Maine, where they happily live with their dog, Wilson.  

MATERIALS NEEDED

 Copy of The Reasons for Seasons

Computer with Internet access

Printer

Paper

Pencil

Glue

Magazines

Headphones

BEFORE YOU READ

    Activity 1

        The book talks about the how the seasons are created.  Click here to learn more about the way seasons are created.   Read the section on this   

        website called, The Seasons and the Axis Tilt.  There is no need to click on the links provided, unless you desire to learn more about that topic.

        After reading about, The Seasons and the Axis Tilt, print off this worksheet and complete the questions.

    Activity 2

        Using this website go on a season scavenger hunt.  Write down at least twelve facts about the season today.  Do your facts prove fall is here

        or do your facts prove that fall is not here?

        **Teachers - Please note that this worksheet uses the "fall" season.  If the it not fall when you use this website, please ask your students to change

        the word "fall" on the worksheet to the current season (i.e. winter, spring, summer). 

WHILE YOU READ

    Activity 3

        Print off this worksheet.  While you read the book fill in the missing vocabulary words from the top of the worksheet.

    Activity 4

        As you read through the Reasons for the Seasons pay close attention to the diagrams and the facts that are given throughout the book.  While

     you read the book answer the five questions on this worksheet.

AFTER YOU READ

    Activity 5

        Using your senses of sound, sight, taste, smell, and touch choose a season of the year and write a poem about that season.  Use the words below

        to help get you started:

        Autumn (or your season) is a time for...

        It looks like...

        And it sounds like...

        It smells like...

        Sometimes it tastes like...

        And I can touch (feel)...

        Autumn, a (...) time of year.

        After you make a rough draft of your poem, use the links below to print out stationary to write your final copy on.

        Click here for Summer Stationary

        Click here for Autumn Stationary

        Click here for Winter Stationary

         Click here for Spring Stationary

   Activity 6

        Print out these worksheets.  At center 3 use the magazines to find pictures to paste under the names of the four seasons.   You will    

        share one of the four season pages with the whole class once we are all finished. 

        **Remember you will be turning in four pages for this activity.

ASSESSMENT

    Print off the Rubric for your activities.  Staple this paper to the back of all your activities.

      Make sure your name is at the top of all six activity papers.  Under your name include the activity number.