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Provided by: New York DEP |Published on: January 25, 2024
Lesson Plans
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Synopsis
In this lesson, students learn about the difference between weather and climate by collecting weather data and comparing this with published weather and climate data for their area.
Students will learn about microclimates and weather monitoring through analysis and discussion.
Students will practice their data collection and graphing skills in this lesson.
This lesson provides thorough background information to deepen teacher and student understanding of the topic.
Additional Prerequisites
Students must collect temperature data for 2-4 weeks before beginning the graphing, analysis, and discussion portion.
Students should be familiar with reading thermometers and graphing.
Teachers will need to print copies of the worksheets for students.
Students will need thermometers, graph paper, and computers with internet access.
Differentiation
Earth science classes can use this lesson to introduce weather vs. climate.
Despite the focus on New York City weather and climate, teachers anywhere in the United States can easily use this lesson by searching their city in the Climate Explorer and National Weather Service databases.
Older students can work independently or in small groups to collect temperature data.
Young students or students who struggle to read a thermometer may benefit from using a digital thermometer.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
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All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
