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?
The next slide features our revised version of the Climate Decoder, which has been improved. Click on the arrow to the right to proceed.
But if you need to, you can still access the previous version of the activity.
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?
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration which you just completed.
These readings are free with registration on ReadWorks, a nonprofit committed to providing teachers with research-proven, Common-Core-aligned readings. All readings include comprehension questions.
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.
Grade 3
Weather & Climate
Climate, Geography, & Global Weather Patterns
3-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-2
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 | Print 10 copies |
Asia & Australia Map & Climates (Fahrenheit & Celsius) printout | Print 10 copies |
Europe & Africa Map & Climates (Fahrenheit & Celsius) printout | Print 10 copies |
Maps & Climates Answer Key (Fahrenheit Only) teacher-only resource | 1 copy |
Colored Pencils
Red, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown. Each student needs these specific colors.
Crayons will also work.
|
Details
180 pencils
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Rulers
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30 rulers |
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.
Grade 3
Weather & Climate
Climate, Geography, & Global Weather Patterns
3-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-2
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