Climatology Expert Groups
Objectives:
1.
Research and teach about the five major factors that effects climate patterns found around the world. The 5
factors are:
a. Latitude
b. Proximity to Water
c. Ocean Currents
d. Prevailing Winds
e. Topography
2.
You and your classmates will research and gather information as experts in one of the above particular
areas of expertise.
Each expert group will use the internet, and handouts to gather important information on their topic. In
addition, they will each develop a quiz to handout to their group members
Each expert will teach members of their group what they have learned through the use of the internet,
handouts, notes and a quiz.
3.
4.
Time/Materials:
 This project will require ~2 periods of research in expert groups and ~2 periods of teaching within home
groups
 Computers w/Internet connection, textbooks
Procedures:
 Class will be divided into HOME TEAMS.
 Each member of a home team will be assigned an area of expertise.
 Next we will split off into expert groups.
 Each expert have clear goals and objectives to accomplish. Each group will have different essential
questions but all must develop the following:
o A lesson plan to teach their group members their topic
o A quiz (open notes or not) to test the knowledge their home group has gained from their lesson
 Assign roles to each expert in your group. The roles are as follows:
o Lead Researcher- Keep experts focused on essential questions. Make sure each member
understands topic before continuing.
o Webmaster- In charge of going to specific websites, and making sure each section of the sites are
covered
o Recorder- In charge of recording information for each essential question. This information will be
used to help when teaching your home group. Also responsible for recording 5 multiple choice
questions and a short answer question.
o Timekeeper- Must make sure the team is accomplishing procedures in a timely fashion:
Remember ~2 class periods for research.
o (If There is a 5th expert)
 Messenger- Responsible for presenting Mr. W with questions that the group has on a
particular topic. Must then convey to the team.
 When the research is complete each EXPERT return to their home group and teach their classmates what
they have learned. Experts may use the same websites to illustrate key points or find other websites.
Experts may also direct home team members to textbooks or other readings/diagrams. Each member of the
team should be able to answer YOUR essential questions. PLEASE NOTE: all experts are asked to
understand how to read climatograms and therefore you do not have to teach this essential question to your
home team.
COMPETITION:
 Each home team will compete for prizes when the activity is completed.
 Teams will be asked a series of questions and will earn the ability to throw darts
 The team with the highest # of points on the dartboard at the end will be dubbed the WINNING TEAM
 Prizes for each team are as follows:
o 1st place- GOLF, 2 hole punches, 2 gold cards
o 2nd place- GOLF, 2 hole punch, 1 gold card
o 3rd place- GOLF, 1 hole punch, 1 platinum card
o 4th place-GOLF, 1 hole punch, 1 green card
o 5th place- GOLF
Procedures for Each Expert Group: See Attached Pages
How Does Latitude Effect Climate?
Objectives:
1. Your expert group will examine the effect of different latitudes on
climate patterns
2. Each of you will be required to teach your home group the information
you learn as experts
3. Keep in mind that you must provide your homegroup some visuals and some practice
regents questions that deal with your factor.
Procedures:
1. Read section on latitude found in Chapter 24 of online text
2. The following is a list of essential questions for your group to answer. Use this as a guide
when deciding how to teach your homegroup
.
Essential Questions:
1. Identify and name the major climate zones based on latitude
a. http://www.polaris.iastate.edu/NorthStar/Unit5/unit5_sub1.htm
2. What is a climatograph and how do you read one?
a. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/climograph.html
b. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page03.cfm
3. Describe the general changes in average temperatures and precipitation as you go from a
low latitude (equator) to a higher latitude (mid latitudes 35-60N or S)
a. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page06.cfm
4. Why do you see these changes as you go further north from the equator? Provide
examples to illustrate your findings.
 http://people.cas.sc.edu/carbone/modules/mods4car/ccontrol/controls/latitude.htm
l
 http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1705
/es1705page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
How Does Your Proximity to Water Effect Climate?
Objectives:
1. Your expert group will examine the effect of large bodies of water on
climate patterns
2. Each of you will be required to teach your home group the
information you learn as experts
3. Keep in mind that you must provide your homegroup some visuals
and some practice regents questions that deal with your factor.
Procedures:
1. Read section on Large bodies of water and how they affect climate in Chapter 24 of
online text
2. Go to http://countrystudies.us/united-states/geography-2.htm and read the entire page.
Make note of the information on how proximity to water affects climate.
3. The following is a list of essential questions for your group to answer. Use this as a guide
when deciding how to teach your homegroup
Essential Questions:
1. What is a climatograph and how do you read one?
a. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/climograph.html
b. http://geography.berkeley.edu/Climate/Climagraphs/Climagraph.html
c. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page03.cfm
2. What are the differences between climatographs of coastal cities and inland cities?
3. How does a large body of water affect climates? Why does this occur? Describe the
differences in average temperature and precipitation for cities at the same latitude where
on city is located close to the ocean and the other is located in the middle of a continent
a. http://people.cas.sc.edu/carbone/modules/mods4car/ccontrol/controls/landwater1.
html (click through 2 slides)
b. http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/oceanography_currents_4
.html
How Do Ocean Currents Effect Climate?
Objectives:
1. Your expert group will examine the effects of ocean currents on climate patterns
2. Each of you will be required to teach your home group the information you
learn as experts
3. Keep in mind that you must provide your homegroup some visuals and some
practice regents questions that deal with your factor.
Procedures:
1. Go to Chapter 24 in online text and read about Ocean Currents and their effect on average
temperature and precipitation
2. The following is a list of essential questions for your group to answer. Use this as a guide
when deciding how to teach your homegroup
Essential Questions:
1. What is a climatograph and how do you read one?
a. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/climograph.html
b. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page03.cfm
2. What factors combine to produce ocean currents?
a. Read pages 403-404 in text
b. http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/ocean_currents.html&edu=
mid
3. Interpret page 4 of your RT- describe the patterns of ocean currents in both the northern
and southern hemisphere. How do prevailing winds influence ocean currents?
Specifically, predict the effects of currents on US climates along the west coast.
a. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2401
/es2401page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
4. Describe how ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream can effect European climates.
How Do Changes in Topography (mountain) Effect Climate?
Objectives:
1. Your expert group will examine the effect of topography on
climate patterns
2. Each of you will be required to teach your home group the
information you learn as experts
3. Keep in mind that you must provide your homegroup some
visuals and some practice regents questions that deal with your
factor.
Procedures:
1. Read section on effects of elevation on climate in Chapter 24 of online text
2. Go to http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/earth/sciber/climate.htm and
read the section on Topography
3. The following is a list of essential questions for your group to answer. You will use a
series of websites and activities to locate all of the information for each question. The
websites are provided under each question.
Essential Questions:
1. What is a climatograph and how do you read one?
a. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/climograph.html
b. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page03.cfm
2. How does air change (temperature, pressure, moisture etc..) as it moves over a mountain
range?
a. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es1806/es
1806page03.cfm (BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE OF
THE WEBSITE)
3. What is the difference between the windward side and leeward side of a mountain range?
How do climates differ on both sides of a mountain? What is the rain shadow effect?
a. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kilimanjaro/weat-flash.html
4. How do climatographs compare for two different cities, one on the windward and one on
the leeward side of a mountain range?
a. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es1806
/es1806page06.cfm?chapter_no=investigation
How Do El-Nino/La Nina Cycles Effect Climate?
Objectives:
1. Your expert group will examine the effect of the El-Nino/La
Nina on climate patterns
2. Each of you will be required to teach your home group the
information you learn as experts
3. Keep in mind that you must provide your homegroup some
visuals and some practice regents questions that deal with your
factor.
4. .
Procedures:
1. The following is a list of essential questions for your group to answer. Use this as a guide
when deciding how to teach your homegroup
Essential Questions:
1. What is a climatograph and how do you read one?
a. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/climograph.html
b.
c. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es2101
/es2101page03.cfm
2. What is El-Nino? La-Nina?
a. El-Nino- http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/el-nino-story.html
b. La-Nina- http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/la-nina-story.html
3. What are the general influences of El-Nino/La Nina Around the Globe
a. http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/impacts.html
4. What are some example of cities that could be used to illustrate the differences in climate
due to El-Nino and La-Nina?
a. You will choose one city to show El-Nino Effects and One city to Show La-Nina
Effects. You will have to investigate average temperature and precipitation data
for a Strong El-Nino Year vs No El-Nino Year for one city. In addition, You will
have to investigate average temperature and precipitation data for a Strong LaNina Year vs No La-Nina Year for one city.