Minds On
Equatorial countries
Where would you find the equator?
Press the ‘Equator’ button to learn about the equator.
What are the four hemispheres in the world?
Press ‘The Four Hemispheres’ button to learn more about the four hemispheres.
Where is the equator on a map? Where are the four hemispheres on a map? Explore the areas labelled on the following map.
A map of the world is divided into the 4 hemispheres: Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. There is a line running through the center of the map dividing the world in half horizontally and a line running through the center of the map dividing the world in half vertically. The line running horizontally through the center of the map is labelled as the equator. Each hemisphere is labelled. The Northern Hemisphere is labelled on the top half of the map. The Southern Hemisphere is labelled on the bottom half of the map. The Western Hemisphere is labelled on the left half of the map. The Eastern Hemisphere is labelled on the right half of the map.
Press each tab to learn more about the equator and the four hemispheres.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
What type of homes do you think people might live in if they lived close to the equator?
What type of homes do you think people might live in if they lived close to the North or South Pole?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Action
Living at the equator
For the following sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu.
Countries that are further north or south of the equator experience a change in seasons, when hot weather follows cold weather.
Explore this video entitled "Climate" to learn more about what climate is.
Countries on the equator
The following are descriptions of the climate in some countries that are on the equator:
A tropic beach in Guarajuba, Brazil
As the sun goes down behind palm trees at a tropical beach in Brazil, the climate is hot.
A tropical cloud forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo
On the slopes of Mount Rwenzori, the tropical forest is hot, dense, and covered in fog.
A riverbank in the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya
A hot and dry landscape with palm trees on the riverbank. It only rains a few months a year.
A beach in the Maldives
The Maldives islands in the Indian Ocean has a hot climate. It rains every day but in quick bursts.
- What do all of the descriptions of climates have in common?
- What are some words you could use to describe the climate of equatorial countries?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Press ‘Hint’ to explore a climate description.
Housing in cold and warm climates
Do you think houses are created the same way all over the world?
Why do you think they might need to be created with certain features?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Press ‘Hint’ to access a suggestion.
Shelter features
Explore the following features for a house in a warm or a cold climate. Select the correct answer.
Houses made for the weather
Explore the following pictures of houses from around the world. Is each house built for a cooler or warmer climate?
Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.
The image you explored is a cave house. Cave houses are carved out of sandstone and connected by a network of tunnels. Building cave houses like these protect from the sun and the desert winds.
Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.
The homes you explored are built on stilts because there is a lot of rain. It rains all summer! To keep themselves, their houses, and their things safe and dry, people have built these houses up high on stilts. This way, when the rain comes, they don’t have to worry about a flood or any animals who might try to come inside their house. The roofs are also sloped to keep the falling rain off.
Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.
Homes can be built as apartment buildings, where there are many floors and people living in the apartments. Apartment buildings are built in many parts of the world.
Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.
A home can be a cabin built out of cedar logs with a sloping roof and a chimney. These types of houses have been built all over the world. They are log homes! The long and thick wood logs help keep the heat inside during long and cold winters. The logs also absorb heat during the day and can slowly release the heat as it gets colder.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Is your home built for hot or cold climate? How do you know? What are some features that help you know?
Record your responses in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Consolidation
Design a home
Now it is your turn to create a home!
Choose one of the following climates listed and imagine how you would build your house. What materials would you use? What do you need to consider for that climate?
- a hot, topical climate
- a cold, snowy climate
- a mixed climate, with both warm and cold weather
- a rainy climate
You may choose to present your home design using a method of your choice.
Use the following checklist to help guide you.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.