Unit 1 LG3: Climate & Biomes
Explain how physical processes create climate regions and explain how climate influences the
distribution of biomes. (3A, 4A, 4C)
LG3 in ISN
1. Rewrite LG in your own words
2. Write down the Performance Criteria
3. Summarize the day’s lesson; including information you need to review before summative
assessment
Earth-Sun Relationship (Day 1)
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Complete in ISN
Read and answer Guided Reading Questions (be sure to write the questions)
Draw diagram exactly as you see it below
Click on link (be sure to enable “Show Earth Profile” button)
Write facts for each Equinox and each Solstice on the diagram
Watch teacher presentation to determine if your answers are correct
Earth’s Tilt and Revolution
The earth is tilted at an angle of 23 ½ degrees as it revolves around the sun on its axis. Because of this
different areas of the earth receive different amounts of sun which creates the different seasons on
earth.
The Tropics
The Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ S) mark the areas on the earth known as
the Tropics which are the areas farthest north and south where the sun’s rays shine directly overhead.
Equator
The Equator receives the most direct sunlight and is thus warmer. When the sun is directly over the
Equator this is known as the Equinox (either Spring or Fall). Days and nights all over the world are equal
in length on the Equinox.
Polar Areas
Areas around the poles (north and south) receive less direct sunlight due to the earth tilt and are thus
much cooler than other places on earth.
Seasons
Northern Hemisphere: The warmest months in the northern hemisphere are May, June, and July due to
the exposure to the most direct rays of the sun. The summer solstice (June 21-22) marks the longest
day of the year when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. The coldest months are November,
December, and January when the sun’s rays are shining over the southern hemisphere. The winter
solstice, when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, is beginning of winter.
Southern Hemisphere: Location in the southern hemisphere has the opposite seasons due to the earth’s
tilt and revolution. The warmest months in the southern hemisphere are November, December, and
January due to the exposure to the most direct rays of the sun over the Tropic of Capricorn. The coldest
months are May, June, and July when the sun’s rays are shining on the northern hemisphere.
Guided Reading Questions
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What is the tilt of the earth’s axis in degrees?
What does the tilt create?
What is the importance of the tropics in the Earth-Sun Relationship?
What is an equinox?
What is the length of days and nights all over the world during an Equinox?
Why are the Polar Areas cooler than other places on Earth?
What are the warmest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere? Why?
What are the coldest months of the year in Northern Hemisphere? Why?
What are the warmest months of the year in the Southern Hemisphere? Why?
What are the coldest months of the year in Southern Hemisphere? Why?
Earth-Sun Relationship Diagram (Draw)
http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html
Influences of Climate Distribution (Day 1)
1. Write the following questions in your ISN
a. What is the temperature?
b. What is the precipitation like?
c. How does it influence the distribution of climate?
2. Each of you will receive a different influence on climate distribution
a. Elevation
b. Latitude
c. Wind Systems
d. Ocean Currents
e. Position on a Continent
f. Mountain Barriers
3. Partner with someone who has the same influence as you and answer the 3 questions in your
own words in your ISN
4. Watch teacher presentation to determine if your answers are correct
5. Interview 5 different people that have the answers to the different influences and write those
answers in your ISN
Influences of Climate on the Distribution of Biomes (Day 2)
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Complete in ISN
Read and answer Guided Reading Questions (be sure to write questions)
Watch teacher presentation to determine whether your answers are correct
Participate in “Levels of Questioning” presentation
You will now receive a reading chunk for a biome
Click on the link below to determine what biome you belong to
Assemble your group by biome
As a group, write 2 level 2 questions, and 1 level 3 question
Each group will lead a class discussion by asking their biome questions. The rest of the class will
answer the questions using the biome website.
Biomes
The ecosystems (community of plants and animal) of a specific region are called biomes. Biomes are
divided into four main categories: forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
Influence of Climate
Temperature and precipitation determine the distribution of the world’s biomes.
Tropical Biomes: Areas in the lower latitudes are influenced by warmer temperatures and often
abundant precipitation. Biomes in these regions include tropical rainforests and tropical grasslands.
Temperate Biomes: Areas in the middle latitudes have biomes adapted to seasonal shifts in
temperature in precipitation in temperature. Biomes in these regions include deciduous forests and
temperate grasslands. As the latitude increases deciduous forest transition to mixed and coniferous
forests.
Polar Biomes: Areas in the higher latitudes tend to be dominated by coniferous forests in the warmer
portions that transition to tundra in the cooler areas.
Deserts: These biomes occur in areas with limited precipitation requiring plants and animals adapted to
such.
Guided Reading Questions
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What are biomes?
What influence does climate have on biomes?
What are tropical biomes influenced by?
What are temperate biomes influenced by?
What are polar biomes influenced by?
What are desert biomes influenced by?
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/