NSES Content Standard D  Earth and Space Science: Earth in the Solar System Grades 5-8, page 161 The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the earth's surface, such as growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle. Seasons result from variations in the amount of the sun's energy hitting the surface, due to the tilt of the earth's rotation on its axis and the length of the day.

 
Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The Earth
Grades 6-8, page 69
Because the earth turns daily on an axis that is tilted relative to the plane of the earth's yearly orbit around the sun, sunlight falls more intensely on different parts of the earth during the year. The difference in heating of the earth's surface produces the planet's seasons and weather patterns.

Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The Earth
Grades 9-12, page 70
Life is adapted to conditions on the earth, including the force of gravity that enables the planet to retain an adequate atmosphere, and an intensity of radiation from the sun that allows water to cycle between liquid and vapor.

Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The Earth
Grades 9-12, page 70
Weather (in the short run) and climate (in the long run) involve the transfer of energy in and out of the atmosphere. Solar radiation heats the land masses, oceans, and air. Transfer of heat energy at the boundaries between the atmosphere, the land masses, and the oceans results in layers of different temperatures and densities in both the ocean and atmosphere. The action of gravitational force on regions of different densities causes them to rise or fall--and such circulation, influenced by the rotation of the earth, produces winds and ocean currents.