Weather and climate

Geography

Secondary

The effects of climate change are looked at, in verse

A look at the possible effects of climate change through the use of a poem called Degrees of Change, in a video for use with KS3 geography students. Scientists have predicted that temperatures could rise as much as six degrees, due to climate change. This could result in dire consequences for the UK, such as flooding and low water supplies. Contributors from the Royal Meteorological Society, a tower crane operator and the London Fire Brigade, offer their views, in verse, on possible scenarios and whether anything can be done.

Degrees of Change

An investigation into the great storm of 1987 for KS3 geography

The story of the Great Storm of 1987 is explained, from the weather depression that caused it, to the people who experienced its devastation at first hand, in a video for KS3 geography lessons. How does a weather depression form and develop? The Great Storm of 1987 started out as a low-pressure system that formed over the Atlantic and matured on its journey towards the UK. It had the characteristics of a typical depression, with a warm and cold front, but due to its exceptional size, strength and speed, it caused unprecedented and unexpected damage across the south of England. This video charts the different stages of the storm's journey from sea to land, drawing on the expertise of Professor Paul Hardaker of the Royal Meteorological Society, personal testimony from people who remember its impact, and archive footage from the BBC.

The Great Storm

Analysing Hurricane Katrina for Key Stage 3 geography students

A Key Stage 3 geography role play, examining weather and climate conditions during the build up and arrival of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, 2005. Students run the command centre, reacting to each new weather data announcement and making decisions for the city. They are provided with detailed maps of New Orleans, coastal flood charts, photographs and a streaming weather information service for the class to assess and react to in the different roles they've been given. Some are information officers, other are crisis managers and they are responsible for informing and updating the US President's office as the crisis unfolds. The actions each group takes as new information arrives are marked as they are asked to find out what changes in weather conditions will mean for the people in New Orleans caught up in Hurricane Katrina. Teacher Emma gives an informative breakdown of the philosophy, aims and value for pupils of the exercise. Her lesson plan accompanies the video.

The Weather - Hurricane Katrina

How a combination of wintery weather conditions can cause chaos

Engaging Key Stage 3 geography with great ideas for examining severe weather conditions. Teacher, Dan Cowling, turns his KS3 geography class into climate detectives, to learn what the human consequences of severe winter weather conditions are. Dan gets his class to discover why a combination of bad Christmas weather conditions meant that council officer, Brian, was too busy to get home to enjoy his Boxing Day turkey sandwich! Wind, rain, sleet, snow and ice are the catalysts for chaos, demanding responses from Brian, both personally and professionally. Dan hands out an envelope full of different clues that prompt pupils to reflect on the impact of the weather on everyday life. They must prioritise the information into what's relevant, what's informative but not relevant and what's not relevant at all. Dan gives an informative breakdown of the philosophy, aims and take-away value for pupils of the exercise.

The Weather - Severe Christmas Conditions

Learning about climate graphs for Key Stage 3 geography students

An innovative approach and great lesson idea for bringing the traditional climate graph to life for Key Stage 3 geography students. Different groups in a Key Stage 3 geography class bring the traditional climate graph to life with a vivid portrayal of weather conditions inside a tropical rainforest. Head of geography, Stephen Schwab, provides pupils with blogs from the rainforest, historic and contemporary photographs, poetry and blogs with the rainforest as their subject matter. Another table has a recording of the busy jungle nightlife to stimulate a picture of the climate and weather conditions. Each group of pupils then shares with the others how their findings are borne out on the climate chart until a full picture of weather conditions inside the rainforest is built up. This video features teacher Stephen giving an informative breakdown of the philosophy, aims and take-away value for pupils of the exercise.

The Weather - Sounds, Pictures, Blogs and Poetry

How weather and climate affect peoples' jobs across the UK

Travelling across the UK from East to West Coast, this video for KS3 geography investigates how the day-to-day weather has an impact on people's lives and occupations. A fisherman who is affected by wind direction and intensity, a farmer who needs to plan his work to make the most of rain and sunny spells, and a tower crane operator working at heights of 40 metres, who receives special wind forecasts that alert him to gusts and wind speed, all show how weather can affect work. At the National Grid gas control centre, they monitor weather 24 hours a day to keep track of supply and demand in changing temperatures, and an Environment Agency officer talks about monitoring rainfall and flood risks. Finally, mountain rescue volunteers on the Brecon Beacons, explain how all types of weather can affect the likelihood of being called out, and how they respond to a rescue.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Secondary Geography

> Weather and climate

Degrees of Change

The Great Storm

The Weather - Hurricane Katrina

The Weather - Severe Christmas Conditions

The Weather - Sounds, Pictures, Blogs and Poetry

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