Hemisphere Postcards Teacher Guide Hemisphere Postcards
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Target Grade 3rd - 4th
Learning Objective
Students will understand that the Earth is divided into Northern and Southern Hemispheres and that these hemispheres experience opposite seasons due to the Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun.
Materials Needed
Postcard Templates
World Map Reference
Pencils & Crayons
Projector for Video
Key Vocabulary
Equator The imaginary line that divides Earth into North and South.Hemisphere Half of a sphere (half of the Earth).Tilt The angle at which Earth leans (23.5 degrees).
Lesson Timeline
5 Minutes
Warm-up: The Great Divide
Display the World Map. Identify your current location. Draw/Point out the Equator . Explain that "Hemi" means half, so a Hemisphere is half a globe.
5 Minutes
Viewing: Why Are There Seasons?
Watch the SciShow Kids video. Key moment: Pause at 1:35 (the split-screen animation). Ask: "If the girl is eating ice cream in the North, why are the boys shivering in the South?"
25 Minutes
Main Activity: The Hemisphere Swap
Students act as travelers in the opposite hemisphere .
Choose a "Pen Pal" city in the opposite hemisphere (e.g., Sydney, Australia if in NYC).
Date the postcard with today's date .
Write about the opposite weather (e.g., if it's snowing at home, they are describing a beach day).
Draw a picture on the front representing that opposite season.
5 Minutes
Closure: Global Sharing
Share postcards in small groups. Discuss the "December Beach" concept. How would it feel to have a "Summer Christmas" or a "Winter July"?
Discussion Anchors
Concept Check
"Does the Earth get closer to the sun in summer?"
Answer: No! It's all about the tilt and which way we are leaning.
Real-World App
"If you want to go skiing in July, where should you fly?"
Answer: Somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere (like the Andes or Australia).
Hemisphere Postcards Presentation Hemisphere Postcards
Exploring the North, the South, and the Tilt that changes everything.
The Great Divide
The Equator
An imaginary belt around the Earth's middle. It divides our world into two equal halves.
Hemisphere
"Hemi" means half . "Sphere" is a ball . So, a hemisphere is half a world!
Northern
Southern
Why Seasons?
Video Time: 2:21
Embedded media
👀 Watch for the TILT!
The Opposite Rule
1
When the North leans toward the sun, it is SUMMER there.
2
But at that same time, the South leans away.
3
While it's Summer in the North, it is Winter in the South!
North
South
Mirror Worlds
If you go to the beach in Florida in December, you bring a coat. If you go to the beach in Sydney in December, you bring sunblock!
Mission: Global Pen Pal
Your Task:
Pick a city in the Opposite Hemisphere.
Date your postcard: Today.
Write about the weather your friend is seeing.
Draw a picture of their season on the front!
Remember: North & South are ALWAYS Opposites!
Global Pen Pal Postcards Template Global Pen Pal
Postcard Activity
Name
Date
Front Side: Illustration
Greetings from...
Draw a picture of the season your Pen Pal is having!
(Sun, snow, leaves, or flowers?)
Back Side: Message
Dear Pen Pal,
From,
Remember: Check your Hemisphere Map! If it is currently Winter where you live, write your letter as if you are in the Summer season.
Hemisphere Map Reference Hemisphere Map Finder
Use this map to find a "Pen Pal" in the opposite hemisphere!
North America
Europe & Asia
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
New York City, USA
London, UK
Tokyo, Japan
Beijing, China
The Equator
South America
Australia & Africa
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Sydney, Australia
Cape Town, South Africa
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
How to Use
1 Find your home hemisphere.
2 Look on the other side of the Equator.
3 Pick a city for your Pen Pal!
The "Opposite" Key
Summer Winter
Spring Autumn
Seasons flip at the Equator!
