By Mark Dodridge

Sixth Grade Geography Lesson: Locating Climatic

Regions

Climate: Precipitation and temperature averages over 30 years of recording

Weather: Everyday atmospheric conditions, changes all the time

Climate versus Weather

Precipitation per year over at least 30 yearsRecorded temperature variations and

averages over 30 yearsDetermines what kind of vegetation growsVegetation determines what animals live

thereMany different climatic regionsTropical (Wet, Dry), Sub-tropical, temperate

marine, temperate continental, tundra, polar.

Climate

Changes everydayCurrent atmospheric conditions of a

particular placeTemperaturePrecipitationWarm and cold fronts change weatherCommon storms: Thunderstorms, blizzards,

tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms, etc.

Weather

Receives over 100 inches of rainfall a yearYear round growing season300 species of trees in one acre of land¼ of medicine comes from plants found hereAmazon River has more species of fish than

the entire Atlantic OceanRains everydayAverage temperature is 78 degrees

Fahrenheit

Tropical Wet or Moist Climate

8 to 12 month growing seasonAnnual precipitation less than tropical areasAnnual temperatures are less than that of

tropical areasSouth Florida fits this criteriaMany different plants and animals live in

these areas

Sub-tropical Climate

Many different plants grow in these regionsWestern United States and CanadaRedwood and Sequoia trees grow in these

areasLargest plants in the worldAreas receive rain much like tropical areas, but colder temperatures year round

Temperate Marine Climate

Very dry areaPrecipitation is mostly in form of snowfall10 inches of snow= 1 inch of rainVery cold year roundGrowing season is less than 3 monthsShrubs and grasses are the only vegetationMany migratory animals that search for food

Tundra Climate

Polar Bears: Highlights from the Tundra | Defenders of Wildlife - YouTube

Polar Bears from the Tundra: Video Clip

Choose a climate region from the Western Hemisphere (North, Central, or South America and Caribbean Region)

On your computer, go to the website www.blueplanetbiomes.com and research your particular climate of choice

From this website, you should be able to gather information that you need to complete the assignment

Climatic Regions Research

Identify 5 different plants that grow in this climate

Describe 5 different characteristics of animals that live here

Explain how much precipitation falls annuallyExplain the average annual temperatures for

this regionIdentify where these places are found in the

Western Hemisphere (i.e., Southeastern United States, Alaska, Northern Canada)

Assignment

Once you’ve completed your research, create a power point

Minimum of 5 slidesSlide One: PlantsSlide Two: AnimalsSlide Three: Annual PrecipitationSlide Four: Annual Average TemperatureSlide Five: Where is your climate foundYou need two pictures portraying your

climatic region

Power point Assignment