Natural environments - duration 7/8 weeks

General aim: To introduce to the pupils that there are different types of climate and vegetation found across the world and that it is possible to compare the main characteristics of the British climate with other climates.

ICT: pupils could use Excel to produce their owngraphs comparing different climate types.

Key Topic Content/Skills

Guidance Notes

Literacy/Numeracy

Introduction

Glossary and title page

Pupils design a title page to illustrate this topic.

Pupils write a glossary of key words to be used in this topic.

Glossary at beginning of topic will familiarise the pupils with the keywords to be used, their meanings and spellings.

Keywords can be displayed around the classroom.

Factors affecting climate

What factors affect climate?

Interactions p.4 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary

Extension work – activity sheet 1.1

Revise differences between weather and climate.

Explain by annotated diagrams how latitude, distance from the sea, prevailing winds and relief affect climate.

Britain’s climate

What is Britain's climate?

Interactions p. 6 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary

Extension work – activity sheet 1.2

Relate the factors affecting climate (theory) to Britain.

Interpretation of a climate graph.

Distribution map.

Brainstorm on other types of world climate.

Ecosystems

What are ecosystems?

Interactions p. 8 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Meaning of ecosystem.

Emphasis size of ecosystems and the affects that man has had on ecosystems.

 

Equatorial climate

What is the equatorial climate?

Interactions p. 10 Qu. 1 – 5 Summary

Extension work – activity sheet 1.3

Display work – 24 hour clock in the rainforest

Comparison between climate graphs of equatorial regions and the UK.

Comprehension of text – weather for a typical day.

Drawing of clock will help to illustrate this concept.

Explain effect of altitude at the equator.

Tropical rainforests

What are tropical rainforests?

Interactions p. 12 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Extension work – extras p.13

Interpretation of annotated sketch.

Discussion – how do trees and wildlife adapt to the climate.

Use man as an example.

Make sure pupils understand the term ‘adapted’

Hot deserts

What is the climate of the hot deserts?

Interactions p. 14 Qu. 1 – 4 Summary

How do plants and wildlife survive in tropical deserts?

Interactions p. 16 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Extension work – activity sheet 1.4

Comparison of climate graphs and weather for Britain and hot deserts.

Comprehension of text – causes of hot desert climate.

Atlas work.

Interpretation of annotated sketch.

Mediterranean climate

What is the Mediterranean climate?

Interactions p. 18 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary

Extension work – extras p. 19

What is Mediterranean vegetation like?

Interactions p. 20 Qu. 1 – 5 Summary

Extension work – activity sheet 1.5

Revision work – sheet 1.6

Compare climate graphs and weather of Britain and the Mediterranean.

Seasonal differences.

Atlas work.

Interpretation of photos and annotated sketch.

Assessment

Self assessment sheet and target setting

Assessment based on sheet 1.3a

Use of self-assessment sheets to highlight gaps in the pupils learning and set targets for the next topic.

Assessment sheet 1.3a

Pupils to record their test scores against the class average.