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?
DISCUSS:
What kind of weather, plants, and animals do you think the orange and purple zones have? Why do you think that?
DISCUSS: These two places have the same temperatures throughout the year... so why do they look so different?
Do you have any ideas?
DISCUSS:
(1) Which climate zones have you been to?
(2) Which ones would you want to visit?
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 activityAmericas Map & Climates (Fahrenheit & Celsius) printout | 1 per student |
Asia & Australia Map & Climates (Fahrenheit & Celsius) printout | 1 per student |
Europe & Africa Map & Climates (Fahrenheit & Celsius) printout | 1 per student |
Maps & Climates Answer Key (Fahrenheit Only) 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
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Rulers
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1 ruler per student |
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.
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.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
In this reading, students learn that seasons look different in different places.
For a limited time, view archived reading extensions here.
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.
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
Extend the lesson's activity by adding the desert climate to the climate map you made.
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