The average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time constitutes its climate. Some of the factors that determine these conditions are elevation, relationship to the equator, nearness to large bodies of water, size, topography, and location of landmasses. Though we are going to concentrate on landmasse positions and climate, it is necessary to have an understanding of the basic factors that go into determining the climate of an area.
As we know, students like hands on activities. To make the topic more interesting and meaningful, we will have the student do some activities that will help them better understand the effects positions of landmasses and large bodies of water have on climate. I think we should begin by measuring and researching some weather elements as these effects can be measured and observed over a smaller time scale than climate. By discussing why conditions might vary during the day and throughout the year and then discussing the global effects these would have on the earth over a long period of time,I believe, might help them better understand effects events have on climate over a long period of time.
Break the class into groups and discuss the basic weather elements and where each is found on a weather map.
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1. Temperature
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2. Air Pressure
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3. Relative Humidity
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4. Clouds—cover/types
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5. Winds—speed/direction
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6. Dew Point
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7. Precipitation—past/present
