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Earth: Seasons and Changes

NCERT Class 5 · EVS Based on NCERT Class 5 EVS textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter helps students observe and understand the natural rhythms of change in the world around them — day and night, seasons, and how plants, animals, people and places transform over time. Through journaling, activities and reflection, it encourages students to connect deeply with their local environment and notice repeating patterns in nature. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that change is constant and follows patterns called seasons, which shape everything from weather and crops to festivals and daily life.
Key Concepts (14)
Change
The process of becoming different over time; changes can happen in minutes, days, months, or years.
e.g. You grow taller each year, leaves fall off trees and grow again, the sky changes colour from morning to evening.
Day and Night
The cycle of light and darkness on Earth caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
e.g. When it is daytime in India, countries on the opposite side of the globe have night.
Rotation
The spinning of the Earth around its own axis, like a top, which causes day and night.
e.g. In the classroom activity, the student playing 'Earth' turned around slowly while the 'Sun' stood still.
Globe
A model that represents our Earth; it is shaped like a ball, just like the real Earth.
e.g. The blue part of the globe shows seas and oceans, which cover about three-fourth of the Earth.
Seasons
A repeating pattern in nature that occurs every year, caused by changes in weather, temperature, and daylight.
e.g. Summer is hot, monsoon brings rain, winter is cold — these repeat every year.
Vasanta (Spring)
The season when flowers bloom and the weather becomes pleasant after winter.
e.g. Holi is celebrated in spring, when flowers bloom.
Grishma (Summer)
The hottest season of the year, with long days and strong sunlight.
e.g. In summer, people wear light cotton clothes and eat cooling foods like watermelon.
Varsha (Monsoon)
The rainy season when heavy rains fall and water bodies fill up.
e.g. In Odisha, when the koel bird sings, farmers know the rains are coming and start planting seeds.
Sharad (Autumn)
The season after monsoon when the weather cools down and crops are harvested.
e.g. Diwali is celebrated in autumn, after crops are harvested.
Hemant (Pre-winter)
The season just before winter, with cool and pleasant weather.
e.g. In many regions, this is a time for harvesting winter crops.
Shishir (Winter)
The coldest season of the year, with short days and long nights.
e.g. Winter in Kashmir is very cold with snowfall, while winter in Kerala is mild.
Festival
A special day or celebration that is often connected with seasons and harvests.
e.g. Pongal and Makar Sankranti are harvest festivals celebrated in winter.
Crop
A plant grown by farmers for food or other uses, planted in specific seasons.
e.g. Summer crops grow best in heat, winter crops grow best in cold, and some crops need monsoon rains.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
The idea that the whole Earth is one family, and we all share the same planet.
e.g. Seasons and natural rhythms connect people, animals, and plants across the world.
How It Works
How Day and Night Occur
  1. Step 1: The Sun stays in one place and does not move across the sky.
  2. Step 2: The Earth rotates (spins) on its axis like a top.
  3. Step 3: The side of the Earth facing the Sun experiences daytime.
  4. Step 4: The side of the Earth facing away from the Sun experiences nighttime.
  5. Step 5: As the Earth continues to rotate, different parts of the Earth face the Sun, causing day and night to alternate.
💡 Students often think the Sun moves across the sky. Actually, the Earth rotates while the Sun stays still.
How Seasons Change Throughout the Year
  1. Step 1: Observe nature daily and record observations in a seasons' journal.
  2. Step 2: Make a classroom chart with time periods (April–June, July–September, October–December, January–March) and themes (plant life, birds and animals, air/heat/light, water/water bodies, human activities).
  3. Step 3: Fill the chart with observations from journals for each theme and time period.
  4. Step 4: Study patterns across time periods — notice how plants, animals, weather, water, and human activities change.
  5. Step 5: Identify the repeating pattern — this repeating pattern is called a season.
  6. Step 6: Name the seasons in your region (e.g., Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemant, Shishir).
💡 Seasons repeat every year in a cycle. The same changes happen again and again — this is a natural rhythm.
How to Make a Seasons' Chart
  1. Step 1: Prepare a large wall-sized chart with columns for four time periods: April–June, July–September, October–December, January–March.
  2. Step 2: List themes in rows: plant life, birds and animals, air/heat/light, water/water bodies, human activities.
  3. Step 3: One student stands up for each box and asks the class for observations from their journals.
  4. Step 4: Discuss and write the main observations on the chart.
  5. Step 5: Form five groups, each taking one theme, and create a poster showing how that theme changed throughout the year.
  6. Step 6: Form four new groups (one per time period) with one student from each theme, and create a short story linking all themes for that time period.
💡 The chart helps you see the full picture of how everything in nature changes together over the year.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Thinking the Sun moves across the sky
✗ The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west because the Sun moves around the Earth.
→ The Sun does not move; it stays in one place. The Earth rotates on its axis, making it appear as if the Sun is moving.
✓ The Earth rotates on its axis. The side facing the Sun has day, and the side away from the Sun has night. The Sun appears to move because of Earth's rotation.
⚠ Confusing rotation with revolution
✗ Day and night are caused by the Earth moving around the Sun.
→ Day and night are caused by the Earth spinning on its own axis (rotation), not by the Earth going around the Sun (revolution). Revolution causes seasons, not day and night.
✓ Day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. The Earth spins like a top, and different parts face the Sun at different times.
⚠ Thinking all of India has the same seasons at the same time
✗ Winter in Kerala is the same as winter in Kashmir.
→ India is a large country with different climates. Winter in Kashmir is very cold with snow, while winter in Kerala is mild and warm.
✓ Seasons vary across different regions of India. For example, winter in Kashmir is very cold, while winter in Kerala is mild. Monsoon in Assam is heavy, while in Rajasthan it is dry.
⚠ Mixing up festival seasons
✗ Diwali is celebrated in spring.
→ Diwali is celebrated in autumn (Sharad), after the monsoon and after crops are harvested. Holi is celebrated in spring.
✓ Diwali is celebrated in autumn (Sharad), after the harvest. Holi is celebrated in spring (Vasanta), when flowers bloom.
⚠ Thinking changes only happen in years
✗ Changes in nature only happen over many years.
→ Changes happen at different speeds — some take years (like growing taller), some take months (like seasons), some take days (like leaves falling), and some take minutes or seconds (like a cloud moving).
✓ Changes happen all the time at different speeds. Some changes take years, some take months, some take days, and some take just minutes or seconds.
Compare & Contrast
Cause
Day
Night
Day occurs on the side of the Earth facing the Sun; night occurs on the side facing away from the Sun due to Earth's rotation.
Motion of Earth
Rotation
Revolution
Rotation is the spinning of Earth on its axis, causing day and night. Revolution is the movement of Earth around the Sun, causing seasons. (Note: Revolution is not explicitly in this chapter but is a common confusion.)
Growing season
Summer Crops
Winter Crops
Summer crops grow best in the heat of summer; winter crops grow best in the cold of winter. Some crops need monsoon rains because they require more water.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: Typically 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 short answer question (2-3 marks) on day and night or seasons, 1 long answer question (5 marks) on seasonal changes and their impact on life, and 1 activity-based question (3 marks) on seasons' journal or chart.
Most asked: Cause of day and night (Earth's rotation) · Names and characteristics of the six seasons in India · How seasons affect plants, animals, and human activities · Festivals and their associated seasons · Observation and recording of seasonal changes
Don't skip: Explain how day and night occur with the help of a diagram.; Describe the six seasons of India and give one characteristic of each.; How do seasons affect what people eat, wear, and celebrate? Give examples.
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Changes happen all the time — some take years, some take months, some take days, and some take just minutes or seconds.
  2. Day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, not by the Sun moving.
  3. The Sun stays in one place; the Earth rotates, making it appear as if the Sun rises and sets.
  4. A globe is a model of Earth; blue parts are oceans (covering three-fourths), and the rest is land.
  5. Seasons are repeating patterns in nature that happen every year.
  6. India has six seasons: Vasanta (Spring), Grishma (Summer), Varsha (Monsoon), Sharad (Autumn), Hemant (Pre-winter), and Shishir (Winter).
  7. In Odisha, farmers know rains are coming when the koel bird sings.
  8. Mawsynram in Meghalaya is the wettest place on Earth; the Thar Desert is one of the driest.
  9. Dong in Arunachal Pradesh is India's 'First Village of the Sunrise'.
  10. Festivals like Pongal, Holi, Diwali, and Baisakhi are connected to seasons and harvests.
  11. Summer crops grow best in heat; winter crops grow best in cold; some crops need monsoon rains.
  12. Winter in Kashmir is very cold with snow, while winter in Kerala is mild — seasons vary across India.
  13. Ants carrying eggs to higher ground is a natural sign that rain is coming.
  14. Nag Panchami is celebrated during monsoon to show respect to snakes that come out of flooded burrows.
  15. A seasons' journal helps you observe and record changes in plants, animals, weather, water, and human activities throughout the year.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. What causes day and night on Earth?

  • A. Earth rotates while the Sun stays still ✓
  • B. The Sun moves across the sky
  • C. The Moon covers the Sun at night
  • D. Clouds block the sunlight at night

Answer: A — The activity with the torch and globe shows that the Sun stays still and Earth rotates, creating day on the sunlit side and night on the dark side.

Q2. A globe represents _________ of our Earth.

  • A. only the land
  • B. a round model ✓
  • C. only the water
  • D. only one country

Answer: B — A globe is a small ball-shaped model that shows the entire Earth with its oceans, seas, and land masses.

Q3. Look at the globe. The blue parts represent _________.

  • A. clouds and sky
  • B. forests and trees
  • C. oceans and seas ✓
  • D. mountains and deserts

Answer: C — The chapter clearly states that blue parts of the globe show seas and oceans, which cover about three-fourths of Earth.

Q4. When it is daytime in India, which side of Earth is facing the Sun?

  • A. The side where India is located ✓
  • B. The side facing away from Sun
  • C. The bottom side of Earth
  • D. The side covered with clouds

Answer: A — The chapter explains that the side of Earth facing the Sun has daylight, while the opposite side has night.

Q5. India celebrates over _________ festivals throughout the year.

  • A. 100 festivals
  • B. 500 festivals
  • C. 1,000 festivals ✓
  • D. 10,000 festivals

Answer: C — The chapter states that India celebrates over 1,000 festivals throughout the year, making it one of the most festive countries.

Q6. The koel bird singing in Odisha signals that _________.

  • A. winter is coming
  • B. rains are coming ✓
  • C. summer is starting
  • D. spring has arrived

Answer: B — The chapter explains that when the koel bird sings in Odisha, farmers know the rains are coming and it is time to plant seeds.

Q7. Which place in India sees the sunrise first each morning?

  • A. Kerala in South India
  • B. Rajasthan in West India
  • C. Dong in Arunachal Pradesh ✓
  • D. Punjab in North India

Answer: C — The chapter states that Dong in Arunachal Pradesh is known as India's first village of sunrise where the sun's rays touch Indian land each morning.

Q8. In the activity with the torch and globe, what does the rotating globe represent?

  • A. The Sun moving around Earth
  • B. The Moon orbiting Earth
  • C. The Earth rotating to create day and night ✓
  • D. Stars twinkling in the sky

Answer: C — The demonstration shows that when the globe rotates while the torch stays still, it creates day on the lit side and night on the dark side, just like Earth's rotation.

Q9. How many seasons are shown in the seasons chart used for observations?

  • A. 2 seasons
  • B. 3 seasons
  • C. 4 seasons ✓
  • D. 6 seasons

Answer: C — The classroom activity shows a chart with four time periods representing the four seasons: April-June, July-September, October-December, and January-March.

Q10. Which of these changes happens very quickly, in just minutes or seconds?

  • A. Trees growing taller
  • B. Leaves falling from trees
  • C. Sky changing colors at sunrise or sunset ✓
  • D. Flowers blooming in spring

Answer: C — The chapter mentions that the sky changing color is an example of a change that happens very quickly, while growing tall takes years.

Flashcards

What causes day and night on Earth?

Earth rotates (spins) while Sun stays still, causing different parts of Earth to face sunlight and darkness.

What is a globe?

A globe is a round model that represents Earth with blue parts showing oceans and brown or green parts showing land.

Which side of Earth has day and which has night?

The side facing the Sun has day, and the side facing away from the Sun has night.

Name one place in India that sees sunrise first.

Dong in Arunachal Pradesh is known as India's first village of sunrise.

How many seasons are there in a year?

There are 4 seasons: April-June, July-September, October-December, and January-March.

What are the blue parts of a globe called?

The blue parts are oceans and seas, which cover about three-fourths of Earth.

What does 'rotation' of Earth mean?

Rotation means Earth spins around like a top, which causes day and night.

Why do seasons change throughout the year?

Seasons change because different parts of Earth receive different amounts of sunlight as Earth moves around the Sun.

What can we observe in nature to track seasonal changes?

We can observe plants, animals, water bodies, weather, light, heat, and human activities to see seasonal patterns.

In which month does Odisha's koel bird sing to signal monsoon?

When the koel bird sings in Odisha, it tells farmers that rains are coming and it is time to plant seeds.

Important Board Questions

What makes the Sun appear to rise in the east and set in the west? [1 mark]

The Sun does not actually move — it is Earth that rotates. The chapter explains this with the torch and globe activity.

Name two things you can observe in nature to track seasonal changes. Give one example for each. [2 marks]

Look at the themes in the seasons chart: plant life, birds and animals, weather, water, or human activities. For example, flowers bloom in spring, farmers plant in monsoon.

Explain how the torch and globe activity helps us understand day and night. What does each represent? [3 marks]

The torch represents the Sun (stays still), the rotating globe represents Earth spinning, the lit side shows day, the dark side shows night. Describe what happens as the globe rotates.

Look at a globe. Write down what the blue and green/brown parts represent. Also explain why we use a globe to study Earth. [5 marks]

Blue parts = oceans and seas (cover 3/4 of Earth), green/brown = land masses and countries. A globe is useful because it shows Earth's round shape and helps us understand day-night and seasons. Draw a simple labeled globe showing these parts.

True or False: When it is noon (12 o'clock) in India, it is midnight (12 o'clock) in other parts of the world. Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]

True — because different parts of Earth face the Sun at different times due to Earth's rotation. When India faces the Sun, the opposite side of Earth faces darkness.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Earth: Seasons and Changes

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Earth rotates on its axis, which causes the change from day to night.

Reason (R):

As the Earth rotates, different parts of it face towards and away from the Sun, creating day and night.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. The reason correctly explains why day and night happen — because Earth's rotation determines which parts face the Sun (day) and which face away (night).

Q2. Assertion (A):

A globe represents the Earth with all its countries, oceans, and seas.

Reason (R):

Globes are made of plastic and cannot show real features of Earth.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true — a globe is a model showing Earth's countries and water bodies. However, the reason is false — globes can be made of different materials and they do show real features of Earth, just in miniature form.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The koel bird singing in Odisha is a signal that rains are coming.

Reason (R):

The koel bird is the only bird that sings during the year.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true — farmers use the koel's song as a natural signal for the monsoon rains. However, the reason is false — many birds sing throughout the year. The reason does not explain why the koel's song is special for farmers. A better reason would be that the koel sings at a specific time when monsoon rains are approaching.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Earth: Seasons and Changes

Case Study:

Raj is doing a science project on observing changes in his school garden. In April, he sees flowers blooming and the Sun is very hot. In July, heavy rain falls and new green plants grow everywhere. By December, the flowers have dried up and the air is cool. Raj records all these observations in a journal with drawings.

Q1. Which theme from the seasons' chart would help Raj record the flowering in April and the drying flowers in December?

  • A. Plant life ✓
  • B. Birds and animals
  • C. Air, heat and light
  • D. Human activities

Answer: A

Q2. Why does Raj observe very hot weather in April and cool weather in December?

  • A. Because the Sun moves closer to Earth in April
  • B. Because these are different seasons with different amounts of heat from the Sun ✓
  • C. Because there are more clouds in December
  • D. Because his school is in different locations

Answer: B

Q3. What type of changes is Raj observing — changes that happen over months or changes that happen in seconds?

  • A. Changes that happen in seconds
  • B. Changes that happen over days
  • C. Changes that happen over months and a whole year ✓
  • D. Changes that never happen

Answer: C

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