suggested
grade levels: 7-12 view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson
General
Climate Concepts
suggested
grade levels: 7-12
view Idaho
achievement standards for this lesson
Objectives:
1. Students will learn how
to use the climatology section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho.
2. Students will learn about the major factors influencing climate.
3. Students will learn how to gather and synthesize new information to enrich
their understanding of these fascinating topics.
Procedure:
This assignment could be done in small groups depending on how many computers
there are in a classroom. Groups of 3 or 4 would be ideal, but larger groups
can be used if there are a limited number of computers. It could also be used
for a homework assignment. Use the general climate section of the Digital Atlas
of Idaho.
To get there: Click on Atlas Home, Climatology, and then General
Climate. Encourage your students to explore the General Climate section
and click on the links to see the illustrations of new concepts. Use this information
to answer the following questions on the handout. For a printable pdf copy of
the handout, click below.
Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access
the handouts and printable materials.
clim4ho.pdf | clim4AK.pdf
| General Climate
Handout
Sample:
The sample questions below are shown in the printed handout.
Idaho's climate can vary a lot. Our climate is influenced by storm patterns from the Pacific, changes in the jet stream, and is greatly influenced by Idaho's extremely varied topography. There are also many other factors that influence our climate including latitude, altitude, distance form the ocean, and wind. By doing this exercise, you will get an understanding of some of these factors and the general processes that bring about our climate.
1. How does air temperature change with changes in latitude, altitude, and distance from the ocean?
2. Just by looking on a map, can you predict which city has a greater temperature range, Pocatello, Idaho or San Diego, California? How did you decide this?
3. Why is there so much more precipitation in Northern Idaho when compared with Southern Idaho?
Related
Lesson Topics:
Climatology: Climatology