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Lesson 1: What is climate?

Learning about lines of latitude and longitude and climate zones; developing an understanding of why seasons and climate zones occur; discussing the positions of the Arctic and Antarctic circles.
A single tree divided between two climates—one side lush and green, the other dry and barren, symbolising climate change.

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Learning objective

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

1. Recap and recall

Before starting this unit you might want to check children can recall:

  • The names of the four seasons.

  • The types of typical weather in each season.

  • That climate is long-term weather conditions in a specific region.

  • That climate zones are areas of the world grouped together that have a similar climate.

  • The position and significance of the Equator.

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Created by
Dr Michael Leach
Dr Michael Leach Geography specialist

Dr. Michael Leach is an author and scientist with more than 60 books, in 20+ languages, to his name. He writes on the environment, endangered habitats and wildlife and his particular areas of interest are complex ecosystems such as rainforests and polar regions. Michael has worked extensively in all seven continents exploring some of the world’s most remote habitats.

Michael speaks to schools around the world as visiting author/scientist, educating and inspiring young people about sensitive habitats such as the Amazon, Antarctic, deserts, tundra and the threat they face through climate change. He presents live online wildlife events for UK and International Schools and is a regular judge for the Association of British Science Writers’ Young Science Writer of the Year Awards and Jackson Wild Film Festival in the USA. His most recent book is Rainforest Pub. DK

www.michael-leach.co.uk.

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Maintained by: Kapow Primary teamLast update: 8 May 2026

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