Science/Social Studies

Science and Social Studies

We are focusing on a new theme called WEATHER/SUNSHINE & RAINDROPS. During this unit, we will be exploring the seasons and weather in detail. Your child will be learning about WHY we have seasons, day, and night. In order to do this, we will be re-creating a visual representation of what the earth and sun do, using our bodies, a globe, and a flashlight. Your child will then understand that we have day and night because the earth spins on its axis. They will further learn that we have seasons because the earth is tilted and revolves around the sun. It may seem like a complicated lesson for kindergartners, but the more you talk about it, the better they will understand it.

During warm-up work each day, your child will be writing in a WEATHER JOURNAL. This journal will have your child record the daily weather, temperature, and a picture of what your child should wear outside. This helps your child to start making educated decisions about how to dress appropriately for the weather.

As part of the Douglas County Kindergarten Science curriculum, we will soon begin our discussion of the earth and its rotation around the sun. This tends to be a difficult concept for kindergartners, so any additional explanation you can give at home is beneficial. However, please realize that this is an introduction to this concept and children are NOT expected to master it in kindergarten. In addition, please note that in class, these explanations occur mainly through demonstrations.

Why do we have day and night?

Day and night occurs because of the earth's constant rotation. When we are away from the sun, it is night time; when we are facing the sun, it is day time.

Why do we have seasons?

Seasons occur because of the earth's rotation around the sun and the earth's axis, or tilt. Constantly, the earth is rotating around the sun at approximately a 23 degree angle. Because the earth is tilted, it causes different parts of the earth to have seasons at different times during the year. When our hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it is winter time. When we are tilted towards the sun, it is summer time. Fall and spring also occur during the transitions into winter and summer.