Refresher!How do we measure weather?

Microclimates - investigationLearning Objective:To carry out field work to investigate the best place for a picnic bench at school

Starter activity: Discuss Which is the coldest part of the play ground?Which is the warmest spot?WHY?

Microclimates

• Which area would be warmer and which colder?• In pairs discuss one feature that would change the

temperature.• Why might this be?• You might say that each area has its own microclimate!

Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

Can you define the term microclimate?

Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

A microclimate describes the climate of a small environment such as a town, forest or garden.

Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

Take about half a side and draw this into your book.

Virtual Gardener

Extension: Can you suggest a better position for the greenhouse? Why?

You have done this! You have learnt

about micro climates!Go through

answers

Thank goodness there are some REAL geographers here!

Mr Jones has asked us to find the best place for a picnic bench

in the school grounds!You need to investigate different

places to find the best micro climate!

Task 1: Choose your group. You will need to work in groups of 3 or 4

Task 2: You need to think about what sort of place would be best for a picnic bench?e.g. temperature, shelter, shade, wind speed etc!

INVESTIGATION!

Microclimates

Things to consider when choosing a site:-• SHELTER (FROM WIND OR SHADE FROM THE SUN)• PHYSICAL FEATURES (TREES AND WATER COULD

AFFECT YOUR RESULTS)• SURFACES (THE COLOUR COULD AFFECT

TEMPERATURE)• ASPECT (THE ANGLE OF THE SURFACE TO THE

SUN)• BUILDINGS (CLOSE TOGETHER CAN CAUSE WIND

TUNNELING)

Planning your investigation

ON PAPER: plan your investigation under the following headings

Introduction: What are micro climates?

Aim: What are you trying to find out?

Method:- How are you going to investigate?- What equipment will you need? (hint: we have anemometers, meter

rule, thermometers, your eyes)- Which FOUR places around the school will you test? Why do you

think they will be good? This is your HYPOTHESIS! Here you should draw a sketch of the school to show where you will test.

Use the map on the next slide and the record sheet to help

Doing the investigation

• If you finish:– Collect your instruments from Ms Rios – ONE

person will be responsible for all the equipment!

– Begin testing your sites and recording the information

We will finish this next week so don´t rush around! Behave or you will have to stop the investigation!

Homework:

• Wild weather project part 3!