Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over a long period of time—30 years or more. And as you probably already know, there are lots of different types of climates on Earth.
For example, hot regions are normally closest to the equator. The climate is hotter there because the Sun’s light is most directly overhead at the equator. And the North and South Poles are cold because the Sun’s light and heat are least direct there.
Today, climate scientists split the Earth into approximately five main types of climates. They are:
A: Tropical. In this hot and humid zone, the average temperatures are greater than 64°F (18°C) year-round and there is more than 59 inches of precipitation each year.
B: Dry. These climate zones are so dry because moisture is rapidly evaporated from the air and there is very little precipitation.
C: Temperate. In this zone, there are typically warm and humid summers with thunderstorms and mild winters.
D. Continental. These regions have warm to cool summers and very cold winters. In the winter, this zone can experience snowstorms, strong winds, and very cold temperatures—sometimes falling below -22°F (-30°C)!
E: Polar. In the polar climate zones, it’s extremely cold. Even in summer, the temperatures here never go higher than 50°F (10°C)!
Weather satellites mostly help with tracking conditions that are happening right now and forecasting weather in the near future. However, they also collect information that helps us monitor a region’s climate over time.
This distance learning weather unit includes weather graphs, weather charts, reading passages on weather and climate, and Interactive slides all in Google Apps. Great for Distance Learning! Students will learn about weather and climate and will record data, make graphs, and answer questions.
Students will learn about climate and weather and hazards caused by extreme weather. They will evaluate a solution for its effectiveness to protect against damage from severe weather. This Weather and Climate unit is designed in Google Slides with a quiz in Google forms.
The students just love this interactive graph maker.
Aligned with the following standards:
NGSS 3-ESS2-1. Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.
NGSS 3-ESS2-2. Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
NGSS 3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.
And also Utah SEEd for Third Grade
Utah SEEd Standard 3.1.1 Analyze and interpret data to reveal patterns that indicate typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. Emphasize students gathering data in a variety of ways and representing data in tables and graphs. Examples of data could include temperature, precipitation, or wind speed. (ESS2.D)
Standard 3.1.2 Obtain and communicate information to describe climate patterns in different regions of the world. Emphasize how climate patterns can be used to predict typical weather conditions. Examples of climate patterns could be the average seasonal temperature and average seasonal precipitation. (ESS2.D)
Standard 3.1.3 Design a solution that reduces the effects of a weather-related hazard. Define the problem, identify criteria and constraints, develop possible solutions, analyze data from testing solutions, and propose modifications for optimizing a solution. Examples could include barriers to prevent flooding or wind-resistant roofs. (ESS3.B, ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C)
This is a great resource that works well for distance learning. It includes reading passages, graph and chart making, evaluating designs, and a quiz at the end of the unit in Google Forms. The quiz is completely editable and self-grading!
This resource even includes a lab that is recorded so that you can use it for distance learning. Directions are provided in case you are doing this face to face or if you would like to make your own demonstration.
