Lesson 6: Geography and Weather
Activities
Activity 1: What I Need
Materials: On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer and Frane Lessac
Ask your child to read On the Same Day in March. Then read the story to him and ask him the following questions:
- Which place would you most like to visit in March? Why?
- In March, do you think it is warmer in Alberta, Canada, or New York City? How do you know?
- What season is it in the United States in March? (beginning of spring)
- Describe the weather where you live in March.
Activity 2: The Earth, the Sun, and Heat
Materials: On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer and Frane Lessac, The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting by Mark Breen and Kathleen Friestad, flashlight, rubber band, tennis ball or other small ball, world map or globe
Read the Author's Note at the back of On the Same Day in March that explains why the temperature and environment can be different in geographical locations on the same day.
Perform the demonstration called "Which Hemisphere Are You In?" described on p. 38 of The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting to explain why the temperature is different depending on where you are located on the Earth. Look at a world map or globe and locate the countries on the equator. Explain that the Earth rotates on its axis each day. When the U.S. faces the Sun, it is daytime, and when it is facing away from the Sun, it is nighttime.
Perform the demonstration called "Which Hemisphere Are You In?" described on p. 38 of The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting to explain why the temperature is different depending on where you are located on the Earth. Look at a world map or globe and locate the countries on the equator. Explain that the Earth rotates on its axis each day. When the U.S. faces the Sun, it is daytime, and when it is facing away from the Sun, it is nighttime.
Activity 3: Weather in Our World
Materials: On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer and Frane Lessac, crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Reread On the Same Day in March aloud to your child. Ask your child to label the continents and oceans on the world map on the "Weather in Our World" page. Next, ask him to locate and label the geographic locations discussed in the book. He can use the map at the back of the book as a reference. He should also include his own town on the map.
Now ask him to label the equator and the North and South Poles. Using the Internet, help him find the current temperature of each location he listed on the map. Fill in the date across the top of the page. Then ask your child the following questions:
On the same day in __________________________
Now ask him to label the equator and the North and South Poles. Using the Internet, help him find the current temperature of each location he listed on the map. Fill in the date across the top of the page. Then ask your child the following questions:
On the same day in __________________________
- Which place had the warmest temperature?
- Which place had the coolest temperature?
- Which place is closest to the equator?
- Which place is farthest from the equator?
- Which location's temperature is most similar to your town?
- Which place would you most like to visit on this day? Why?
- Which place would you least like to visit on this day? Why?
Student Activity Page