Date: 3/4 (A) and 3/5 (B)Outcome: Students will explain how climates vary from one location to another.Question: Why are there different climates on Earth?

Activities:DO NOW! SJ Entry E58 The Causes of ClimateGroup Read on page E - 43Stopping to Think #3 questions recorded in SJ.Water Cycle Test Reassessment in class Day A/SSR Day BHomework: unfinished work

Stopping to Think 1

Imagine holding a tennis ball in front of a heat lamp for five minutes. What would you predict would happen to the temperature along the “equator” of the ball compared to the top and bottom?

Stopping to Think 1 - Answer

Imagine holding a tennis ball in front of a heat lamp for five minutes. What would you predict would happen to the temperature along the “equator” of the ball compared to the top and bottom?

One possible response it that it would get hotter along the equator of the tennis ball.

Another possible response is that the entire ball would get hotter, but the “equator” region would be hotter than the top and bottom.

All parts of the earth receive energy from the sun. Because of the shape of the earth (that is, it is not a flat plane), the light intensity is greater near the equator than near the poles.

Stopping To Think 2

a. Which coast of the United States is warmed by warm ocean currents?

b. Which coast of the United States is cooled by cool ocean currents?c. Do you predict that the climate of southeastern states along the

ocean (such as Georgia and North Carolina) would be warmer or cooler without ocean currents? Explain.

Stopping To Think 2

a. Which coast of the United States is warmed by warm ocean currents?

The east and southeast coasts of the United States

b. Which coast of the United States is cooled by cool ocean currents?

Most of the western coast of the United States (primarily California).

c. Do you predict that the climate of southeastern states along the ocean (such as Georgia and North Carolina) would be warmer or cooler without ocean currents? Explain.

The climate of southeastern states would be cooler without ocean currents since currents such as the Gulf Stream warm the land.

Stopping to Think 3 (copy in SJ)

What three factors affect local climates?

Which of these factors do you think affect your local climate?

Stopping to Think 3

What three factors affect local climates?

Which of these factors do you think affect your local climate?

Three factors that affect local climate are:1. the presence of large bodies of water, 2. the height of land above sea level, and 3. the presence of large landforms such as

mountains.