Solstice and Equinox Discussion Prompts & Pause Points

Before the Movie

What is a solstice? What is an equinox? (Make predictions)

Which season has the most hours of daylight? Which has the fewest? (Make predictions)

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:50: Why are the seasons different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? (Identify cause/effect; Compare/contrast)

Timecode 2:24: How do the poles differ from the rest of Earth during an equinox? (Compare/contrast)

Timecode 3:15: Why does it get colder after we pass the autumnal equinox? (Identify cause/effect)

After the Movie

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Solstice and Equinox topic. (Make connections)

Which pole would you prefer to live in and why? (Reflect)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Solstice & Equinox Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.