Science.4.10.C

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The student is expected to

differentiate between weather and climate.

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Knowledge and Skills Statement

Earth and space. The student knows that there are processes on Earth that create patterns of change.

the weather conditions prevailing in an area over multiple decades

a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result; a continuing natural or biological activity or function

the various patterns of movement of water and air driven by interactions among the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air), with inputs of energy from the sun

Research

Royce, Christina. “Teaching Through Trade Books Weather Versus Climate: What’s the Difference?” Science and Children 58, no. 2 (November 2022):18-22. 
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2501209565?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Summary: The author of this article explains how teachers can use children’s literature to describe the difference between weather and climate. It explains that weather varies daily and by season, while climate is a long-term condition. Both weather and climate are related to the environment. This article provides examples of books that help educators teach weather and climate. One activity conducted is to have students track the weather daily over several weeks. Students discuss how weather influences what clothes they wear and what activities they might do. Teachers should encourage students to think about how long the weather lasts, which may be confusing for students. Students can review their data and focus on different weather conditions. Students should constantly compare today’s weather with yesterday’s weather throughout this activity. This can help students to start noticing patterns in the weather. After reading the second book, which focuses on climate, students should work in groups to determine what clothing they might wear in different climate zones and where they think these climates are in the world. Teachers should have students generate thoughts on the terms “weather” and “climate” and have students use resources like climate maps and new sources to come up with characteristics related to weather and weather patterns.