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Remember this confusing fact? December is
winter in countries north of the equator, and summer in countries south of
the equator. This is because of the tilt of the earth’s axis. Use this song
to teach children about this rather confusing concept!
THIS
VIDEO explains it really well.
 Of course there are many ways you could use this song, but I’ve included the
activity I use here. Read through all the instructions below before
beginning, and e-mail me is anything is not clear! If you don’t have simple
pictures of the continents, go to one of my favorite websites,
Enchanted Learning and download simple outlines of the
continents mentioned in the lyrics below to use in making the props.
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Using the song lyrics, make a prop for each child : one sheet of paper with a blue continent on one side, and a yellow
continent on the other side (place the second one upside down; pictures will be
right side up when the children lower their arms and turn them over). Label
the places so children can read them. Laminate them if you like.
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Show the children a globe, so they can
see how the earth is tilted. Show them the equator, and talk about the
countries above and below it. Explain how the earth goes around the sun.
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Have children stand in a circle. Each
child will begin the song holding the blue side of paper up in the air and
facing into the circle (arms are up to represent the Northern hemisphere).
December is Winter
and Summer
MOTIONS:
When it says “Arms Up,” children hold up blue side of
paper facing center of circle
“ Arms Down, “ children lower arms turning paper over so yellow side
is facing center of circle
December is winter, December is winter,
(arms up)
December is winter in North America
December is summer, December is summer
(arms down )
December is summer in South America
CHORUS:
Travel around the world, changing latitudes
(walk around the circle, while
raising paper back up)
You will find the seasons changing right along with you
Verse 2. (same motions as verse 1).
December is winter, December is winter
(arms up)
December is winter in Europe and Asia too
December is summer, December is summer
December is summer in Australia
(CHORUS)
The axis of the earth is what it’s all about
(Arms are up, body tilted)
When it’s winter in the North, it’s summer in
the South
(lower arms and turn paper over)
December is winter, December is winter
(arms up)
December is winter in North Africa
December is summer, December is summer (arms down)
December is summer in South Africa
(CHORUS)
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December
2004 Song of the Month