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Why are some places always hot?

Why are some places always hot?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What’s the climate like where you live: is it more like where Doug grew up? Or more like where Shelley grew up? Or something else?

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DISCUSS:

What kind of weather, plants, and animals do you think the orange and purple zones have? Why do you think that?

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DISCUSS: These two places have the same temperatures throughout the year... so why do they look so different?
Do you have any ideas?

Arizona Florida

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DISCUSS:

(1) Which climate zones have you been to?

(2) Which ones would you want to visit?

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Slide Image

season


1 of 13

a time of year with specific weather that repeats every year
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Slide Image

summer


2 of 13

one of the four seasons, the warmest season in some places
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winter


3 of 13

one of the four seasons, the coldest season in some places
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map


4 of 13

a picture that represents the features of a place
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climate


5 of 13

the weather conditions in an area that are similar year after year
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pattern


6 of 13

something that happens again and again and again in a way that can be predicted
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tropical climate


7 of 13

climate that is hot all year long
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equator


8 of 13

an imaginary line drawn around the middle of the Earth where tropical climates are found
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mild climate


9 of 13

climate that is warm during the winter and hot during the summer
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continental climate


10 of 13

climate that is cold in the winter and hot during the summer
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polar climate


11 of 13

climate that is cold all year long
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dry climate (desert climate)


12 of 13

climate that does not get a lot of rain

evaporation


13 of 13

the process of a liquid changing to a gas
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Featured Reviews

“We have a similar map (the whole globe) already made that we show to children for climate zones lessons - however- this lesson was great as it gave them the chance to create the map themselves. Much more meaningful than just showing them a completed chart and then talking about the chart.”
· Joanna · Teacher
“The kids enjoyed the climate map. The videos through Mystery Science are so engaging and interesting. Before I discovered Mystery Science, I struggled with teaching science. Now it is my favorite part of the school day!”
· Stephanie · Teacher
“The videos give instruction verbally one time but continue to loop the visual instruction, which made it easier for my students to stay on track!”
· Jade · Other
“The kids loved doing the climate map at the end, and in cooperative groups, they discussed and hypothesized about where the warmest and coldest places on earth are. Science and geography all in one!”
· Cynthia · Teacher
“The kids, as always, enjoyed Doug's narrative. The map coloring activity was engaging and informative. They loved it when the "puzzle" came together.”
· Lani · Teacher
“My students made the connection to a prior science lesson about why some parts of the earth have 4 distinctly different seasons. This was a great way for students to see how this translated to world-wide climate patterns.”
· Catherine · Teacher
“The video content was excellent and really conveyed the important concepts. The climate maps were fantastic! My kids really learned what makes up climate and the climate patterns of earth.”
· Emily · Teacher
“OMG! I love Mystery Science more and more every time I teach it. My students are so engaged in every lesson. I loved the different continent groups working together to create one big map!”
· Haley · Teacher
“Everything was incredibly cohesive. I can't believe Mystery Science was able to make a topic like climate age-appropriate, interactive, meaningful, and fun. This was a really great lesson.”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“The children have a clear understanding of storms, different climates, and can use appropriate scientific vocabulary to discuss their learning.”
· Jeanine · Teacher
“The students were very excited when they recognized patterns in their color-coding. They've really been enjoying learning how their world works. ”
· Carolyn · Teacher
“This lesson was fantastic! It covered all areas:fine motor (drawing a straight line with a ruler, using scissors), following directions, and reading a climate map. And I have printed out extra sheets to use as an assessment for students to see if they can match the three maps together. Thank you for this incredible lesson!”
· Susan · Teacher
“Our climate lesson is going to help with the next non-fiction ELA unit and our Social Science unit. Thanks!”
· Ellen · Teacher
“The kids (again) loved the lesson and EVERYONE was able to color code and complete the map. They really "got" it!”
· · Teacher
“The kids really loved this lesson. We stretched it out over four 1-hr sessions. The question that compared Arizona and Florida helped to draw together the scientific knowledge gained in the past lessons.”
· Heidi · Other
“My kids loved the decoder part and comparing how some areas have the same climate all year!”
· Melinda · Teacher
“The visual map combined with instruction on sun's rays and distance from the equator. ”
· Sherie · Teacher
“The maps were fun for the students to color. I liked the climate decoder to help students figure out the climates; it was very inquiry-based. The directions were easy to follow for my 2nd graders.”
· Andrea · Teacher
“Watching the kids "get it" when they taped the 3 maps together. ”
· Irene · Teacher
“I focused on Latitude conncetion to climate. I loved the activity connecting winter/summer temperatures and creating the climate map. Thanks!!”
· Adrienne · Teacher
“The students were fascinated that the three maps fit together to give a whole world climate map. They got to work together (kids always enjoy that). Even my shy, students became involved in discussions about the differences in rainfall in Arizona and Florida. My third graders were finding out about place names on various continents, so they were inadvertently learning about geography as well as science. Every student took home their graphs and maps to show their parents. They had fun!”
· Bertice · Teacher
“It's just so clear! The kids love to hear Doug and the looping videos are great for those kids who are always saying, "Wait, what am I supposed to do?" As a teacher, I have more time and attention to spend circulating and really seeing who needs help!! Well done.”
· Christine · Teacher
“All the mysteries I have done this year have been fantastic! My students who are not usually engaged have become so excited when Mystery Science comes up on the screen! The detailed, looped instruction pieces are so so so totally awesome. I don't have to repeat directions over and over; you guys do if for me! LOVE IT! My slower students don't feel frustrated watching everyone else because they can just watch the screen over and over until they figure it out. It has really helped with problem solving and confidence. I can't wait to start next year with these great lessons!! ”
· Patricia · Teacher
“I like how the clips are short and then you get the students engaged. The person talking is talking fast enough to keep their attention. There are many things shown that students may not see otherwise. The activity with it was well explained and easy for kids to have fun and follow along!”
· · Teacher
“Super interactive, great way to learn about climate. Loved the teamwork aspect! Can't wait to try more lessons!!!”
· Robin · Teacher
“the students and I are loving it. Great discussions on different climates.”
· Fleur · Teacher
“This was a great hands on lesson for students. Having them actually create the maps was the perfect way to engage them.”
· Donna · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of climate and explore the world’s five major climates. In the activity, Climate Decoder, students color one part of a world map to figure out the different climates of that region. Students then combine maps and search for global climate patterns.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Americas Map & Climates (Fahrenheit) printout
Alternatively, you can print our Celsius version. 		1 per student
Asia & Australia Map & Climates (Fahrenheit) printout
Alternatively, you can print our Celsius version. 		1 per student
Europe & Africa Map & Climates (Fahrenheit) printout
Alternatively, you can print our Celsius version. 		1 per student
Maps & Climates Answer Key (Fahrenheit) teacher-only resource 1 per class
Colored Pencils
Red, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown. Each student needs these specific colors. Crayons will also work.
Details
6 pencils per student
Rulers
1 ruler per student
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work alone, but will need to complete all three portions of the map on their own.

Divide Your Class and Assign Maps

Once your students are paired up, divide your class into three groups. Decide which group will be in charge of which map (Americas map, Europe & Africa map, and Asia & Australia map). At the end of the activity, groups will combine their maps to make a full world climate map.

Exploration

8 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

17 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

Does Any Place Not Have Fall?

In this reading, students learn that seasons look different in different places.

Activity

Activity

Create a Travel Poster

Have each student choose and research a climate zone — then draw a travel poster for that climate.

Encourage students to think about what makes each climate special. What plants and animals live there? What sorts of houses do people build there? What clothes would you need to pack? What time of year would you choose to go?

This is an opportunity for creative writing and thinking.

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, this mini-lesson supports the DCI ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

Activity Extension

Activity Extension

Extend the lesson's activity by adding the desert climate to the climate map you made.

Transcripts

Credits
 
Climate Tx Lesson 2: Why are some places always hot?

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