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Seasons Writing Assignment

Write two or three well-developed paragraphs in which you explain why Earth has seasons.

Be sure to answer the following:

• Does the distance between Earth and the sun cause the changes in seasons? Explain.

• What is the shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun?

• How do people know that Earth’s axis always points in the same direction?

• Why are seasons reversed in the northern and southern hemispheres?

• Does Earth’s tilt cause seasons? Explain.

• How does the angle with which sunlight hits Earth affect seasons?

Your well-developed paragraph(s) will be graded for correct writing as well as for science content.

• Use complete sentences.

• Each paragraph should include a topic sentence and a concluding sentence.

• Paragraphs should include sentences with supporting details that answer the science content noted above.

• Check your writing for proper grammar and spelling.

• The paragraph(s) must be in your own words!

Brainstorm ideas here. Make an outline on the back page to organize your thoughts which will help you be sure to include all necessary points.

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Seasons Writing Assignment Rubric

| |Incorrect or unclear | |Incomplete | |Thorough and accurate |

| |explanation | |explanation | |explanation |

|Science Content Component |(1 point) | |(3 points) | |(5 points) |

|Discussion of the distance between Earth and the sun |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Explanation of Earth’s orbit |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Explanation of how we know that Earth’s axis always points in the same direction |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Explanation of why seasons are reversed in the northern and southern hemispheres |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Explanation of how Earth’s tilt affects the changes in seasons |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Explanation of how the angle with which sunlight hits Earth affects seasons |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 |

|Writing Component: Well-developed |Most sentences are incomplete. Paragraphs | |Complete sentences are used most of the time. | |Clear paragraphs and complete sentences |

|paragraphs and complete sentences are|are unclear. Errors make the writing | |The structure of the paragraphs needs | |are used. Paragraphs have topic and |

|used. |difficult to understand. | |improvement. | |concluding sentences and contain |

| | | | | |supporting details. |

| | | | | | |

| |1 point | | | |5 points |

| | |2 points |3 points |4 points | |

|Writing Component: Paragraph(s) |Frequent grammar and spelling mistakes make | |Some grammar and spelling errors are present, | |Writing is free of grammar and spelling |

|contain correct grammar and spelling.|the writing difficult to understand. | |but the meaning of the writing is still clear. | |errors. |

| | | | | | |

| | | |3 points | | |

| |1 point | | | | |

| | |2 points | |4 points |5 points |

Total Points: __________/40

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