Vocabulary: Climate

Subject: Geography | Year: 5

Name: _________________________ Class/Set: ____________ Date: ____________

Word	Definition	Example Sentence
Climate	The average weather patterns in a specific area measured over a long period of time.	Scientists study the climate to see how the world is changing over many years.
Equator	An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that divides it into north and south.	Countries located near the equator usually have a very hot and wet climate.
Precipitation	Any form of water that falls from the sky, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail.	Tropical rainforests receive a huge amount of precipitation every single year.
Temperate	A climate that is mild and not extreme, usually having four distinct seasons.	The United Kingdom has a temperate climate where it rarely gets too hot or too cold.
Arid	A type of climate or land that is extremely dry because it receives very little rain.	Deserts are arid places where plants must find clever ways to store water to survive.
Polar	Relating to the North or South Poles, where the climate is freezing and covered in ice.	The polar regions are the coldest places on Earth and have very short summers.
Latitude	The distance north or south of the equator, which helps determine how cold a place is.	As the latitude increases and you move away from the equator, the temperature usually drops.
Ecosystem	A community of living things and their natural environment working together.	Every ecosystem depends on its specific climate to help the plants and animals stay alive.
Tropical	A hot and humid climate found in regions very close to the equator.	Many colourful and exotic birds live in the tropical rainforests of South America.
Environment	The natural world surrounding us, including the land, water, air, and all living things.	We must look after our environment to make sure that different climates stay balanced.

Task 1: Climate Zone Match-Up

Match: Draw a line to connect the climate zone to its correct description.

• Polar Zone: • • Hot and humid all year round.
• Temperate Zone: • • Very dry with almost no rainfall.
• Tropical Zone: • • Freezing temperatures and lots of ice.
• Arid Zone: • • Mild weather with changing seasons.

Task 2: Sentence Completion

Apply: Use the correct word from the vocabulary table to complete the sentences below.

1. The Sahara Desert is an example of an __________ climate.
2. Rain, snow, and hail are all different types of __________.
3. The __________ is the imaginary line that sits at 0° latitude.

---

⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE

🌍 Pedagogical Overview

This resource is designed to bridge the gap between basic weather observations and the more abstract concept of global climate systems. For Year 5 pupils, the distinction between 'weather' (daily) and 'climate' (long-term) is a common stumbling block.

💡 Teaching Tips & Delivery

• Model: Use a globe or a large world map to point out the Equator and explain how Latitude affects temperature.
• Explain: Use the "Clothes Analogy" to differentiate weather and climate: "Weather is the outfit you choose to wear today; Climate is the collection of clothes you have in your wardrobe because of where you live."
• Check: Ensure pupils do not confuse Arid with just "hot"; emphasise that it specifically refers to a lack of Precipitation.

🔍 Task Answers & Solutions

Task 1 Answer: Climate Zone Match-Up

• Polar Zone: Freezing temperatures and lots of ice.
• Temperate Zone: Mild weather with changing seasons.
• Tropical Zone: Hot and humid all year round.
• Arid Zone: Very dry with almost no rainfall.

Task 2 Answer: Sentence Completion

1. The Sahara Desert is an example of an Arid climate.
2. Rain, snow, and hail are all different types of Precipitation.
3. The Equator is the imaginary line that sits at 0° latitude.

⚠ Safety & Nuance Check

• Climate Anxiety: When discussing environmental factors, maintain a balanced perspective. Focus on how humans can protect the Environment rather than focusing solely on catastrophic changes, which can cause anxiety in KS2 learners.
• Inclusion: Be mindful of pupils who may have lived in different Tropical or Arid climates; encourage them to share their first-hand experiences of the weather patterns in those regions to enrich the lesson.