This resource provides diagrams, images, a video, and interactive practice questions about the effects of major wind patterns on climate.
Students will learn about the Westerlies, the Trade Winds, the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and the general climate characteristics of certain latitudes.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource helps students visualize the major global wind patterns and how they influence climate.
The interactive practice questions adapt to the student's answers to ensure understanding.
Additional Prerequisites
Students will have to sign in to access some of the interactive features.
Each student will need their own computer for the interactive questions.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections could be made with history, geography, and social studies classes when discussing human exploration, migration, trade routes, and the relationships between climate, wind patterns, and historic civilizations.
Other resources related to this topic include this lesson on the effect of latitude on climate and this Khan Academy video on global wind patterns.
Scientist Notes
The resource describes the atmospheric circulation system and the winds that influence the seasons, vegetation, and climate. This is valid and recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science
ESS2: Earth's Systems
6.ESS2.5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
6.ESS2.6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
