Key Stage 1 Weather Experts - NEW LOOK
Climate Detectives - NEW LOOK

Learn about continents, countries and oceans before exploring the 5 key climate zones. Create a fact file for each zone and share information about the characteristics of each climate in a variety of different ways.

Session 1 Globe Explorers

Objectives

Geography

  • To use an atlas to identify and place different countries, continents and oceans.

Enquiry question
What are countries, continents and oceans?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify and name the seven continents.
  • Use atlases to find countries in specific continents.
  • Identify and name the five oceans.

Session 2 Climate Zones: Temperate

Objectives

Geography

  • To identify key weather patterns in the UK.
  • To learn about and identify five climate zones - temperate.

Enquiry question
What is the weather like in the United Kingdom?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify the common weather that we experience in the UK.
  • Learn the difference between climate and weather.
  • Name the climate zones and recognise the average weather experienced in each.

You Will Also Need

Suitcase or bag containing items needed for a holiday in a temperate climate
Map of the UK

Weblinks
The Climate Zones (for teacher reference): The Met Office
Clip about climate zones from BBC Teach

Session 3 Climate Zones: Mediterranean

Objectives

Geography

  • To know the characteristics of Mediterranean climates and how they affect living conditions.
  • To learn about and identify five climate zones - Mediterranean.

Enquiry question
How does the climate differ in different places on Earth?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify, explore, and find out facts about the Mediterranean climate zone.
  • Role-play what it has been like to visit that climate zone.

You Will Also Need

Suitcase or bag containing items needed for a holiday in a mediterranean climate

Weblinks
Clip on the Mediterranean climate zone from BBC Teach (this video is aimed at older children so the content is more complex; please watch in advance to check its suitability for your class)
Mediterranean music from YouTube.com

Session 4 Climate Zones: Equatorial

Objectives

Geography

  • To know the characteristics of equatorial climates and how they affect living conditions.
  • To learn about and identify five climate zones – equatorial.
  • To begin to compare conditions in the different climate zones.

Enquiry question
Where in the world is the Equatorial climate zone and what is it like to live there?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify, explore, and find out facts about the Equatorial climate zone.
  • Send an email to describe a visit to this climate zone.

You Will Also Need

A suitcase/bag packed for a holiday in an equatorial climate

Weblinks
Clip from the beginning of Rio
Clip about tropical climates from NG Science
Rainforest music

Session 5 Climate Zones: Arid

Objectives

Geography

  • To know the characteristics of Arid climates and how they affect living conditions.
  • To learn about and identify five climate zones.

Enquiry question
What makes the arid climate zone different from the Mediterranean zone as they both have hot weather?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify, explore, and find out facts about the arid climate zone.
  • Create a poster to show the different features of this climate zone.

You Will Also Need

A suitcase/bag packed for a holiday in an arid climate
Possible access to laptops/printer

Weblinks
Deserts from BBC Teach (this video is aimed at older children so the content is more complex; please watch in advance to check its suitability for your class)
Ancient Arabian Music

Session 6 Climate Zones: Polar

Objectives

Geography

  • To know the characteristics of polar climates and how they affect living conditions.
  • To learn about and identify five climate zones - polar.
  • To begin to compare conditions in the different climate zones.

Enquiry question
What challenges are there to living in a Polar climate zone for people and animals?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Identify, explore, and find out facts about the polar climate zone.
  • Write a postcard to describe what it has been like to visit that climate zone.