Minds On

The importance of climate patterns

Brainstorm

What is a climate?

If someone were to ask you how to define climate, what would you share with them?

The average weather conditions of an area over an extended period of time.

Patterns in climate include temperature patterns and precipitation patterns, which are both tracked every month to create averages in the data.

That same person then asks about the climate patterns of Kingston, Ontario. Consider some possible reasons might they need that information. Complete the following 'My Notes' graphic organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Press 'Hint' to reveal some possible reasons.

Hint

They might be moving there. They may be travelling there for a period of time. Their job might require this knowledge.

Complete the Your Notes activity in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Your Notes.

Activity

Action

A way to analyse climate patterns

One way to represent the climate patterns of a particular location is using a climate graph.

There are two pieces of information shared on a climate graph. The precipitation levels (rainfall, snowfall, etc.) each month of the year are measured in millimetres and represented on a bar graph. The temperature, measured in degrees Celsius, is represented by a line graph, using the same axes as the bar graph.

The precipitation scale is on the left of the graph and the temperature scale is on the right of the graph.

The person who approached you in the Minds On activity, needing to know the climate patterns of Kingston, could refer to this graph to help them learn the average temperatures and precipitation levels per month over the course of a year.

What do you notice about this climate graph?

Think about the questions, then press each question to reveal the answers to them.

The scales measure precipitation and temperature.

The x-axis measures months of the year.

The y-axis measures precipitation and temperature.

Precipitation in measured in millimetres and temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.

The title tells me that this is a climate graph of a specific location, which in this case is Kingston, Ontario.

We are learning about the average temperatures and precipitation levels each month of the year.

Some of the conclusions that can be drawn about Kingston, Ontario, based on its precipitation and average temperature are:

The summers in Kingston have temperatures between 15 degrees and 21 degrees.
Kingston has precipitation all year round.
Kingston’s temperatures lie within a range of approximately 30 degrees.

Press 'Explanation' to reveal more information about these conclusions.

Explanation

This means that between the highest temperature of 21 degrees and the lowest temperature of -7 degrees, there are 30 numbers on a number line.

Which climate region do you think Kingston, ON is in?

Reflecting on the data

Connections

Asking and answering questions

Illustration of a grade 7 student thinking about climate graphs/data.

Choose two of the following questions about the data presented in this climate graph, then ask your own question:

How different do you think a climate graph for another climate region might appear? Why?

Press 'Hint' to reveal some ideas.

Hint

Consider what might be different in a tropical climate region or a polar climate region.

How might this information affect those who are thinking of moving to Kingston?
How are the two measures in a climate graph related? Why do you think climate is measured by precipitation and temperature in a climate graph?

Press 'Hint' to reveal some ideas.

Hint

Humidity is the amount of moisture found in the air. Could this relate to temperature and precipitation?

What is one question you could ask to understand the patterns in the data?

Press 'Hint' to reveal some ideas.

Hint

What type of precipitation is most common in October and March – snow or rain?

Analysing climate graph data

The following climate graphs represent locations around the world with distinct climate patterns. What three conclusions can you draw about each of these graphs, similar to those for Kingston, ON?

Explore the images and climate data represented for these different locations and different climate regions around the world. The first is the Amazon Rainforest, the second is Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the third is the Sahara Desert.

Which climate regions do you think each of these locations are located, based on their climate patterns?

Select the correct answer.

Connections

Asking Questions

Choose one of the three climate graphs. Create two questions about the patterns noticed in the data. For example, in the dry months in Brazil, does it rain a little each day or less often?

Working with climate graphs

Option 1: Creating a climate graph

Choose one of the sets of data on monthly precipitation levels and temperature averages for either Reykjavik or San José to create your own climate graph.

You can use the activity space provided or a method of your choice to create your graph. For example, you can explore digital tutorials and use spreadsheets to create your own graphs.

Be ready to draw three conclusions about the data that is represented on your graph.

Press 'Hint ' to reveal some ideas.

Hint

What climate region might this location be in? What are the driest months? The wettest months? The coldest months? The hottest months? The range of temperatures?

Your graph should include:

a title an x-axis that has a label for the months of the year a y-axis on the left of the graph with a scale for the temperature (in ℃) a y-axis on the right of the graph with a scale for the precipitation (in mm) bars to represent the precipitation levels each month a line graph to represent the average temperature each month

Press 'San José' or 'Reykjavik' to access the data set for that location.

This is a data set presented about the climate in San José, Costa Rica and includes the months of the year, precipitation levels per month, measured in millimetres, and average temperatures per month, measured in degrees Celsius.

Month	Precipitation (millimetres)	Temperature (degrees Celsius)
January	160	24.4
February	100	24.8
March	100	25.8
April	170	26
May	300	25.7
June	380	24.8
July	370	24.9
August	380	24.8
September	385	24.6
October	410	24.3
November	280	24
December	200	23.9

This is a data set presented for Reykjavik, Iceland and includes the months of the year, precipitation levels per month, measured in millimetre, and average temperatures per month, measured in degrees Celsius;

Month	Precipitation (millimetres)	Temperature (degrees Celsius)
January	76	2.5
February	72	4.1
March	82	4
April	58	6
May	46	8
June	50	12
July	52	12.5
August	62	13
September	68	10
October	86	7
November	72	3
December	79	2.5

You may complete the task by using electronic graphing software, graph paper in your notebook, or the following printable document.

Press the Graph Paper button to access the Graph Paper.

Activity

After you complete the task, click on the title of the locations to reveal the answers.

San José

Reykjavik

You may complete the task by using this interactive activity. Use this interactive activity to create a graph that uses the average temperature data.

Well done! Now, use this interactive activity to create a graph that uses the average precipitation data.

Option 2: Describing the trends from data

Choose one of the sets of data on monthly precipitation levels and temperature averages from the options of locations and describe the patterns and trends that appear in the data.

For example, the Sahara Desert monthly precipitation levels were always 5mm or less. The levels were higher in the months of November to February, trending down, with very little to no precipitation in the months of June to September.

Record your patterns and trends in a method of your choice.

Draw three conclusions about the data that is represented on your graph.

This is a data set presented about the climate in San José, Costa Rica and includes the months of the year, precipitation levels per month, measured in millimetres, and average temperatures per month, measured in degrees Celsius.

Month	Precipitation (mm)	Temperature (℃)
January	160	24.4
February	100	24.8
March	100	25.8
April	170	26
May	300	25.7
June	380	24.8
July	370	24.9
August	380	24.8
September	385	24.6
October	410	24.3
November	280	24
December	200	23.9

This is a data set presented for Reykjavik, Iceland and includes the months of the year, precipitation levels per month, measured in millimetre, and average temperatures per month, measured in degrees Celsius.

Month	Precipitation (mm)	Temperature (℃)
January	76	2.5
February	72	4.1
March	82	4
April	58	6
May	46	8
June	50	12
July	52	12.5
August	62	13
September	68	10
October	86	7
November	72	3
December	79	2.5

Consolidation

What do climate graphs teach us about a location?

You have analysed and created or described patterns and trends represented by data shared about monthly precipitation levels and monthly average temperatures of different climate regions around the world.

Connections

What does this data really tell us about a climate region? What patterns should we see?

Choose one of the following climate regions and reflect on your analysis. Record your responses in a method of your choice.

Note: If you would like, you could find new locations in the world that are a part of the climate region to analysed instead of using the locations listed.

Tropical climate regions

Based on your analysis of the Amazon Rainforest and San José, Costa Rica:

What conclusions can you draw about precipitation levels and temperatures of a tropical climate region?
Does this analysis tell us any other climate information about this climate region?
Are there any patterns that you notice in these climate graphs?

Dry climate regions

Based on your analysis of the Sahara Desert:

What conclusions can you draw about precipitation levels and temperatures of a dry climate region?
Does this analysis tell us any other climate information about this climate region?
Are there any patterns that you notice in these climate graphs?

Temperate climate regions

Based on your analysis of Amsterdam and Reykjavik:

What conclusions can you draw about precipitation levels and temperatures of a temperate climate region?
Does this analysis tell us any other climate information about this climate region?
Are there any patterns that you notice in these climate graphs?

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts   I have a very good understanding of the concepts   I have some understanding but need to review some more  my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.

Learning goals

Success criteria

Minds On

The importance of climate patterns

What is a climate?

Action

A way to analyse climate patterns

Reflecting on the data

Asking and answering questions

Analysing climate graph data

Asking Questions

Working with climate graphs

Option 1: Creating a climate graph

Your graph should include:

Option 2: Describing the trends from data

Consolidation

What do climate graphs teach us about a location?

Connections

Tropical climate regions

Dry climate regions

Temperate climate regions

Reflection

I feel...

Learning goals

Success criteria

Minds On

The importance of climate patterns

What is a climate?

Climate

Climate Patterns

Action

A way to analyse climate patterns

What is being measured by the scales?

What is being measured by the x-axis?

What is being measured by the y-axis?

What are the units of measurement?

What does the title tell you?

What information are we learning?

Reflecting on the data

Asking and answering questions

Analysing climate graph data

Asking Questions

Working with climate graphs

Option 1: Creating a climate graph

Your graph should include:

San José

Reykjavik

Option 2: Describing the trends from data

Consolidation

What do climate graphs teach us about a location?

Connections

Tropical climate regions

Dry climate regions

Temperate climate regions

Reflection

I feel...