Students learn the key difference between weather (what’s happening right now) and climate (the average pattern over many years) — and why mixing them up leads to confusion.
Students will be able to…
“It’s cold today, so climate change must be fake!” Why is that a mix-up? What’s the difference between weather and climate?
Project this and sort each statement into “Weather” (right now) or “Climate” (the long-term pattern). Tap one, then tap the bucket.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
“It’s cold today” — does that tell us about climate?
Students investigate.
Teacher explains.
Apply.
Three quick checks.
Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core literacy. State-standard crosswalks available on request.
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions of air masses cause changes in weather.
Develop a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation cause patterns of climate.
Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems.
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of a text.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students compare climate data for two regions (like a desert and a rainforest) and describe how their long-term patterns differ. A printable climate-comparison sheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.