The four seasons
Spring, summer, autumn, winter. They happen because Earth's tilt makes the Sun's rays stronger or weaker on different parts of Earth.
Why summer is warmer
When your part of Earth tilts TOWARD the Sun, days are longer and sunlight hits more directly — summer! When it tilts away, days are shorter and sunlight is weaker — winter.
Plants and animals
Trees lose leaves in autumn to save water. Many animals migrate or hibernate in winter.
🔑 Key Terms
- Migrate
- When animals travel to warmer places for winter.
- Hibernate
- To sleep deeply through winter to save energy.
Did you know?
Arctic terns migrate from the Arctic to Antarctica and back every year — about 70,000 km!
Try it at home: Daylight diary
- Note the time the Sun sets today.
- Check again in 2 weeks.
- Is it earlier or later? Days get shorter in autumn/winter and longer in spring/summer.