World Geography Enrichment Work

Ms. McCormick

Instructions on how to complete these activities:

1. If you are using Google Classroom: You can complete each activity directly on the document. I am making it possible that you all get your own copy once you open the document off of Google Classroom.

2. If you are using my website: You may complete each activity in your notebook. These will be looked at when we return to school.

3. Turn in your document once all activities are finished.

4. This will be work for the next two weeks. I do not expect this to be totally done in one day! My work should be between 30 minutes to an hour (maximum) a day.

5. I may add some more activities like videos to watch that will help supplement our

next unit so keep checking Google Classroom as well as my website!

6. This work is only for my class, other teachers may have their work available on their websites/Google Classrooms so keep checking theirs as well.

7. Keep yourselves busy and try to stay on a “normal” routine! Completing your

academic work during this shutdown will help keep you from falling behind in your academics.

Seasons and Weather

EARTH’S TILT Seasons have an enormous impact on us, affecting the conditions in the atmosphere and on the earth that create our weather. As the earth revolves around the sun, it is tilted at a 23.5° angle in relation to the sun. Because of the earth’s revolution and its tilt, different parts of the earth receive the direct rays of the sun for more hours of the day at certain times in the year. This causes the changing seasons on the earth. Notice in the diagram to the right that the northern half of the earth tilts toward the sun in summer and away from the sun in winter.

Weather Weather and climate are often confused. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time. Climate is the term for weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time. Northern Russia, for example, has a cold climate.

PRECIPITATION Precipitation depends on the amount of water vapor in the air and the movement of that air. As warm air rises, it cools and loses its ability to hold water vapor. The water vapor condenses, and the water droplets form into clouds. When the amount of water in a cloud is too heavy for the air to hold, rain or snow falls from the cloud. Geographers classify precipitation as convectional, orographic, or frontal, as illustrated in the diagram below.

Weather Extremes As air masses warm and cool and move across the earth’s surface, they create weather. Sometimes the clashes between air masses cause storms, which can be severe. They disrupt the usual patterns of life and often cause major property damage and loss of human life. Hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, droughts, and floods are examples of extreme weather.

HURRICANES Storms that form over warm, tropical ocean waters are called hurricanes—also known as typhoons in Asia. Hurricanes are one way heat from the tropics is moved out of the region. Air flowing over an ocean with a water temperature of 80°F or higher picks up huge amounts of moisture and heat energy. As these water-laden winds flow into a low pressure core, they tighten to form an “eye.” The eye is usually 10 to 20 miles across and has clear, calm skies. But the winds moving around the eye may be as strong as 200 miles per hour.

The clouds and winds stretch over a vast area, sometimes as wide as 500 miles. Upper air currents blowing from the east steer the hurricanes in a westerly direction. As the hurricane hits land, it pounds the area with howling winds and very heavy rains. It may also cause a storm

surge along coastal regions. This wall of seawater, pushed ashore by the winds, may rise to 16 feet or more. The low-lying coastal regions of Bangladesh in South Asia are especially vulnerable to storm surges from tropical cyclones.

DROUGHTS A drought is a long period of time without rain or with very minimal rainfall. This lack of rain results in crop failures and drastically reduced levels in water storage facilities. In the early 1930s, a drought hit the Great Plains in the United States. Dust storms damaged farms across a 150,000-square-mile region that became known as the “Dust Bowl.” Suffering the effects of a harsh climate, thousands of families were forced to leave their land to find work elsewhere. In 2000, a large portion of the southern United States was struck with a long drought. Northern Texas was particularly hard hit, with 84 straight days of no rain and extremely high temperatures.

_________________________________________________________________________ Questions- Use the following reading to answer the questions below. Remember to use evidence from the reading in your answers.

1. Use evidence from the reading to explain why the seasons change.

2. How are climate and weather different?

4. Read the section on precipitation, describe why precipitation happens.

5. Use your reading to explain how hurricanes occur?

6. What is a drought? Explain what happened during the “Dust Bowl”.

Activity #1: Unit 8 Vocabulary Practice Students can make flashcards out of the words and the definitions below to help them study for the Unit 8 Assessment. A link to Quizlet for these Unit 8 words can also be found on my website or at https://quizlet.com/_2yzkox?x=1jqt&i=xi53

Vocabulary Word Definition

Weather

The day to day state of the atmosphere.

Climate

The average weather usually taken over a 30-year time period.

Atmosphere

The layer of gas that surrounds and protects the earth.

Vegetation

The plants that make up the plant life in a region.

Precipitation

The liquid and solid water particles that fall from clouds and reach the ground. Snow, rain, hail and sleet.

Temperate Climates

Climate areas along the Equator that are very hot. These climates can be either very dry or very wet.

Arctic Climates

Climates that lie in around the poles. These climates have very cold, long winters and cold, short summers.

Continental Climates

This climate is only in the Northern Hemisphere. This is one of the few climates with 4 different seasons. Warm summer and cold winter.

Arid Climates

Dry Climates with little rainfall. The deserts and steppes.

Practice Activity: Create a sentence for each of the vocabulary words above.

1. Weather

2. Climate

3. Atmosphere

4. Vegetation

5. Precipitation

6. Tropical Climate

7. Temperate Climate

8. Arctic Climate

9. Continental Climate

10. Arid Climate

Analyzing Climagraphs Study the climagraphs for Minneapolis (which is far from the Equator) and Paramaribo (which is near the Equator).

1. Describe the difference in precipitation between the two cities.

2. What type of climate zone do you think Paramaribo is located in? Be sure to note how close the city is to the Equator and the levels of precipitation all year.

3. Minneapolis shares a climate zone with us here in Michigan. What type of precipitation do you believe Minneapolis is receiving in the months of June-August? Explain why you think this.

Unit 8 Essay Practice (You may have to draw this diagram in your notebook or on a new

sheet of paper if you can’t write on it here)

Using information about the climate zones we have learned from Unit 8 pick two climate zones to compare and contrast on the Venn Diagram below. You cannot use the exact same examples I used in our class activity found in your notebook (continental vs. arctic climates). You can, however, use one of the examples we did together and pick a new climate zone to put on the other side of the Venn Diagram. This activity is in preparation for the essay portion of the Unit 8 test.

Essay Writing: Using the venn diagram on the previous page, information from your reading on seasons vs. weather, and work we have completed as a class complete the two essays below. Be sure to use as much detail as you can, including unit vocabulary, in your answers!

1. Choose two climate zones. Compare and contrast these two climates in 5-6 sentences.

2. Describe the difference between weather and climate in 5-6 sentences. Use at least one specific climate zone as an example in your answer.

3. Challenge Question: Why is latitude location (nearness to the Equator) an important factor in the climate type of places around the world? 2-3 sentences.

What Are Climate and Climate Change? Adapted from Read Works.org 3/17/20 https://www.readworks.org/article/What-Are-Climate-and-Climate-Change/4a2f34b9-f515-4f3e-9f61-c2b1f4bcf7ba#!articleTab:content/ (A read aloud can be used from the link above)

The climate of a region or city is its typical or average weather. For example, the climate of Hawaii is sunny and warm. But the climate of Antarctica is freezing cold. Earth's climate is the average of all the world's regional climates. 

Climate change, therefore, is a change in the typical or average weather of a region or city. This could be a change in a region's average annual rainfall, for example. Or it could be a change in a city's average temperature for a given month or season. Climate change is also a change in Earth's overall climate. This could be a change in Earth's average temperature, for example. Or it could be a change in Earth's typical precipitation patterns. 

What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate? 

Weather is the short-term changes we see in temperature, clouds, precipitation, humidity and wind in a region or a city. Weather can vary greatly from one day to the next, or even within the same day. In the morning the weather may be cloudy and cool. But by afternoon it may be sunny and warm. 

The climate of a region or city is its weather averaged over many years. This is usually different for different seasons. For example, a region or city may tend to be warm and humid during summer. But it may tend to be cold and snowy during winter.The climate of a city, region or the entire planet changes very slowly. These changes take place on the scale of tens, hundreds and thousands of years. 

Is Earth's Climate Changing? 

Earth's climate is always changing. In the past, Earth's climate has gone through warmer and cooler periods, each lasting thousands of years. Observations show that Earth's climate has been warming. Its average temperature has risen a little more than one degree Fahrenheit during the past 100 years or so. This amount may not seem like much. But small changes in Earth's average temperature can lead to big impacts. 

What Is Causing Earth's Climate to Change? 

Some causes of climate change are natural. These include changes in Earth's orbit and in the amount of energy coming from the sun. Ocean changes and volcanic eruptions are also natural causes of climate change. Most scientists think that recent warming can't be explained by nature alone. 

Most scientists say it's very likely that most of the warming since the mid-1900s is due to the burning of coal, oil and gas. Burning these fuels is how we produce most of the energy that we use every day. This burning adds heat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the air. These gases are called greenhouse gases. 

What Is the Forecast for Earth's Climate? 

Scientists use climate models to predict how Earth's climate will change. Climate models are computer programs with mathematical equations. They are programmed to simulate past climate as accurately as possible. This gives scientists some confidence in a climate model's ability to predict the future. 

Climate models predict that Earth's average temperature will keep rising over the next 100 years or so. There may be a year or years where Earth's average temperature is steady or even falls. But the overall trend is expected to be up. 

Earth's average temperature is expected to rise even if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere decreases. But the rise would be less than if greenhouse gas amounts remain the same or increase. 

What Is the Impact of Earth's Warming Climate? 

Some impacts already are occurring. For example, sea levels are rising, and snow and ice cover is decreasing. Rainfall patterns and growing seasons are changing. Further sea-level rise and melting of snow and ice are likely as Earth warms. The warming climate likely will cause more floods, droughts and heat waves. The heat waves may get hotter, and hurricanes may get stronger. 

 

 

What Is the Difference Between "Climate Change" and "Global Warming"? 

"Global warming" refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature. "Climate change" refers to any long-term change in Earth's climate, or in the climate of a region or city. This includes warming, cooling and changes besides temperature. 

Use the reading to answer the following questions. 

1. According to the first paragraph, what is the earth’s climate?

2. Read the second paragraph of the reading. Describe climate change in your own words.

3. Read the section “Is Earth’s Climate Changing?”. Describe how the Earth’s climate has changed in the past.

4. What does the article say are some natural causes of climate change?

5. What does the article say are some human causes of climate change since the 1900s?

6. Explain what scientist’s climate models predict will happen to the Earth’s climate in the next 100 years.

7. What are some impacts climate change is already having on the Earth?

8. In your own words explain the difference between climate change and global warming.

 

Climate Change Quiz Take this quiz below to find out what you already know about climate 

change? Check your answers on the next page(s). Use the 

highlighting tool to show your answer. 

 

1. Global warming is causing the ocean to get warmer, resulting 

in: 

a. A reduced need to cook lobster before eating it. 

b. An increase in people mistaking the ocean for their own personal bathtub, 

leading to an increase in ocean soapiness. 

c. Coral reefs getting sick and losing their color. 

d. More beach vacations. 

 

2. Which greenhouse gas is abundant (a large amount) in Earth’s atmosphere? 

a. Cow gas 

b. Goat burps 

c. Water vapor 

d. Carbon dioxide 

 

3. Fossil fuels, like the gas we put into our cars, comes from: 

a. Natural history museums. 

b. Cavemen dinner leftovers. 

c. The internet. 

d. Organisms, mainly algae and other small life forms, that died and were 

buried millions of years in the past.   

 

4. Global warming can be caused by: 

a. Extremely vigorous dancing, leading to pockets of immense heat coming from 

dance clubs. 

b. Humans releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the 

atmosphere. 

c. Ice cube companies removing ice from the arctic and selling the pieces for 

massive profit. 

d. A global shortage in air conditioners. 

 

5. Which of the following can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas released to 

the atmosphere? 

a. Spending your free time running outside with a special carbon dioxide 

capturing net. 

b. Carpooling (arranging rides with others that are going to the same place) 

c. Powering your home’s air conditioner with a gas generator while you are away 

on vacation. 

d. Flying with a bunch of your friends to the beach, with each of you in your 

own private plane. 

 

 

6. Why is it a good idea to turn off lights and other electronics when you are not 

using them? 

a. Because your parents might think that you are playing video games for a 

longer amount of time than you actually are. This could lead to less video 

game time. 

b. Because they might get bored after a long run of shining and beeping for 

nobody. 

c. Because all that energy comes from somewhere, and more likely than not it is 

coming from a power plant that is burning fossil fuels. 

d. Because I told you so. 

 

7. Which of these weather events can be worsened by global warming? 

a. Falling sky 

b. Raining cats and dogs 

c. Flying pigs 

d. Hurricanes 

 

8. Trees can help remove carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere by: 

a. Intimidating it with their great height. 

b. Giving great-but long-winded-speeches about the importance of protecting 

our planet. 

c. Intentionally falling down and blocking roads, preventing cars from burning 

fossil fuels. 

d. Taking it in from the air for growth. 

 

9. Clean energy is: 

a. A form of energy that does not release greenhouse gases or other pollutants 

into the atmosphere. 

b. The positive energy you get if you don’t use bad words. 

c. The energy hotel workers use to get rooms ready for the next guest. 

d. An energy drink that doesn’t leave a stain if you spill it. 

 

10. Global warming causes sea level to rise because: 

a. It causes glaciers and ice caps to melt, putting more water into our oceans. 

b. It prevents ice and glaciers from forming, slowing down how much water is 

removed from the ocean each winter. 

c. Hotter things expand, and the warmer the ocean, the larger it gets. 

d. All of these answers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change Quiz Answer Key 

 

1. C) Coral reefs getting sick and losing their color. 

Warming oceans are unhealthy for many organisms, including corals. Coral bleaching, where coral reefs lose their color, can be a sign of warming waters.   

 

2. D) Carbon Dioxide 

Water vapor is responsible for about 90% of the greenhouse effect. That doesn't 

mean it is most responsible for human-caused global warming, though. Humans add a 

lot of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and this is what has been responsible for 

much of our planet's recent warming 

 

3. D) Organisms, mainly algae and other small life forms, that died and were buried millions of 

years in the past.   

 

Fossil fuels are oil and gas that form when organic material (the remains of 

once-living things) is buried under great pressure and temperature over millions of 

years. It takes ages to form but only a second to burn it.  

 

4. B) Humans releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. 

 

Humans release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels in cars 

and in power plants. This carbon dioxide can increase global warming by trapping 

energy here on Earth. 

 

5. B) Carpooling 

 

One of the best ways to reduce how much carbon dioxide you release is to group 

together. Driving somewhere by yourself takes almost as much gas as driving 

multiple people. The more people, the less other cars on the road that release 

greenhouse gases. 

 

 

6. C) Because all that energy comes from somewhere, and more likely than not it is coming 

from a power plant that is burning fossil fuels. 

 

Wasting energy isn't only expensive; it is also bad for the environment. If you leave 

lights and other gizmos on when you are not using them, they are still using energy. 

That energy is likely created by fossil fuels and therefore is releasing carbon 

dioxide into the atmosphere. 

 

7. D) Hurricanes 

 

Global warming can increase how often extreme weather events-like drought, 

wildfires, foods, tornadoes, and hurricanes-occur. 

 

8. D) Taking it in from the air for growth. 

 

Trees, and all plants, create their own food in a process called photosynthesis. This 

process uses energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar 

for food. This results in the carbon dioxide being stored in the plant, and not the 

atmosphere.  

 

9. A) A form of energy that does not release greenhouse gases or other pollutants into the 

atmosphere. 

Clean energy sources are things that do not use fossil fuels. Examples 

include solar power and wind power. Both do not release greenhouse gases 

into the environment. 

 

10. B) All of these 

All of these things contribute to sea level rise. Fifty percent of the rising sea level                               

is the result of the ocean expanding from simply being hotter. And the less water                             

we store in ice caps and glaciers, the more we put into our seas.