Lights on the Longest Night
Uncover the science behind why winter nights are long by modeling Earth's tilt, then explore how cultures worldwide light up the darkest season. The challenge is to understand these phenomena and celebrate them through creation.
The lesson goal is learners will understand why winter days are short and nights are long by exploring Earth's tilt. They will also discover how different cultures celebrate the darkest season with unique light traditions and create their own lantern.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction3 Min
- Ask your child: 'Why do so many cultures light fires and candles on the longest night of the year?'
- Move on when Student has offered initial thoughts and questions about the longest night and celebrations of light.
Photo by sena keçicioğlu on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan8 Min
- Dim the room and set up the flashlight (sun) and a ball (Earth).
- Show how the 'Earth' tilts on its axis as it 'orbits' the 'sun'.
- Have your child observe how the light falls on the Northern Hemisphere when tilted away.
- Use the worksheet to label the tilted-Earth diagram and mark Iran, Sweden, and China on the map.
- Move on when Student has observed the effect of Earth's tilt on light distribution and marked the locations on the map.
Photo by Astrofotos PB on Pexels - 3
Discussion8 Min
- Explain: 'A tradition is a special custom passed down over time, and culture is a group's shared way of life.'
- Describe Yalda Night, St. Lucia Day, and Dongzhi Festival, highlighting how each brings light and hope.
- Ask: 'What do these celebrations have in common?' and 'Which celebration would you want to try and why?'
- Move on when Student can describe at least one tradition and identify the common theme of light and hope during long winter nights.
Photo by AJAY KUMAR on Pexels - 4
Activity7 Min
- Help your child cut out the paper lantern template from the worksheet.
- Guide them in decorating their lantern with colors and patterns.
- Assist in folding, gluing, or taping the lantern edges together.
- If desired, help attach a string or yarn for hanging the finished lantern.
- Move on when Student has completed decorating and assembling their paper lantern.
Photo by Vanessa Ellie on Pexels - 5
Summary4 Min
- Ask your child: 'Which winter light tradition would you bring home?' and 'What was the biggest thing you learned today?'
- Move on when Student shares a key takeaway or expresses a preference for one of the traditions and explains why.
Photo by Kevin Malik on Pexels
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