tool will introduce the learner to the three climate zones. The learner will locate those zones on a world map.

Engaging Questions

  • What type of climate does the high latitudes have?

  • What named latitude gets the most sunshine?

  • What climate zone is between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle?

  • What type of climate does the low latitudes have?

  • What climate zone is between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle? 

  • Name the three climate zones.

  • What climate zone is between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole?

  • What climate zone is between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer?

  • What type of climate does the middle latitudes have?

  • What climate zone is between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole?

Teacher Goals

  • Using lines of latitude, the learner will locate the three climate zones.

Required Resources

  • Materials

    Blackline map of the world
    Map pencils

  • Resource

Optional Resources

  • Materials

    Social Studies textbook

Steps

  1. Notes

    Read Student Notes to find out about climate zones.

  2. Map

    Print a copy of the world map.

  3. Equator

    Write Equator on zero degrees latitude.

  4. Tropic of Capricorn

    Write Tropic of Capricorn on 23 1/2 degrees south latitude.

  5. Tropic of Cancer

    Write Tropic of Cancer 23 1/2 degrees north latitude.

  6. Arctic Circle

    Write Arctic Circle 66 2/3 degrees north latitude.

  7. Antarctic Circle

    Write Antarctic Circle on 66 2/3 degrees south latitude.

  8. Low latitudes

    Color the space between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn with a red map pencil.

  9. North Middle latitudes

    Color the space between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle with an green map pencil.

  10. South Middle Latitudes

    Color the space between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle with a green map pencil.

  11. North High Latitudes

    Color the space between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole with a blue map pencil.

  12. South High Latitudes

    Color the space between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole with a blue map pencil.

  13. Warm Climate Zone

    Write Low Latitudes in the space you colored red.

  14. Moderate Climate Zone

    Write Middle Latitudes in spaces you colored green.

  15. Cold Climate Zones

    Write High Latitudes in the spaces you colored blue.

Teacher Notes

  • Students will need a copy of the world map. If there are an insufficient number of computers, each student will need a copy of the student guide. This tool can be used with a whole class, or students may complete the steps independently.

  • Duration: This tool will take about 30 minutes.

Learner Notes

  • You will learn the location of the three climate zones on a world map.

    The sun shines on the Earth in different ways, since the Earth is round. Because the sun's heat is most direct and strongest at the Equator, the Earth is divided into three climate zones. Climate is the average weather of one place over a long period of time.

    The area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn receive most of the sun's heat. The Equator is zero degrees. The latitude close to the Equator have low numbers. This climate zone is called low latitudes. The low latitudes have a warm climate. The low latitudes are between twenty-three and one half degrees north latitude and twenty-three and one half degrees south latitutde.

    The area between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle and the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle are the middle latitudes. These areas are warm in summer and cool in winter. Middle latitudes are between twenty-three and one half degrees latitude and sixty-six and one half degrees latitude both north and south of the Equator.

    The area north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle are the high latitudes. It is usually cold in the areas of the high latitudes. The North and South Poles have the highest latitude number. The high latitudes are between sixty-six and one half degrees and ninety degrees north latitude and sixty-six and one half degrees and ninety degrees south latitude.

Mentor Notes

  • Your child will learn the location of the three climate zones of the world.

    Your child will need a copy of the world map included with this tool. The child can work from the computer or you may print a copy of the student guide. The steps can be completed independently or you can guide you child through the steps.

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