7 E’s Lesson Plan in Science
Grade Level: 9 Duration: 60 minutes
I. OBJECTIVES
Content Standard:
Factors that affect climate, and the effects of changing climate and how to
adapt accordingly
Performance Standard:
Participate in activities that reduce risks and lessen effects of climate change
Learning competency:
Explain how different factors affect the climate of an area
Learning Objectives:
Explain how latitude affects climate
Code: S9ES-IIIe-30
II. SUBJECT MATTER
Topic: Factors that Affect Climate (Latitude)
Concept:
Any point on the surface of the Earth can be defined by a pair of angular
coordinates known as longitude and latitude. Longitude is a line stretching from pole
to pole with a given angular displacement from the Prime Meridian, which runs
through Greenwich, England. Latitude is defined as the angular distance from the
equator and is designated North or South depending on the hemisphere. The equator
defines zero degrees latitude, which locates the North and South Poles at 90 degrees
North and South respectively.
As latitude increases, the sun shines more obliquely and provides less warming
energy. The equator always faces the sun directly, so the climate is warm year-round,
with the average day and night temperature hovering between 12.5 and 14.3 degrees
Celsius (54.5 and 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit). At the poles, however, winter and
summer temperatures show a wider variation. The average temperature in the Arctic
varies from zero C (32 F) in summer to -40 C (-40 F) in winter, while in the
Antarctic, the temperature varies from -28.2 C (-18 F) in summer to -60 C (-76 F) in
winter. The Antarctic is colder for two reasons: it's a landmass, and it's at a higher
elevation than the Arctic.
The Earth's tilt affects the angle of incident sunlight on a particular location, but if
that were its only effect, you would expect higher temperatures at each pole in
summer. After all, that's when the pole is facing the sun and is actually slightly closer
to it than the equator. This doesn't happen because at other times of the year the sun's
rays have to pass through a thicker atmospheric filter than at the equator, producing
cold enough temperatures to create permanent ice. In the summer, some of this ice
melts, but the ice that doesn't melt reflects sunlight and prevents it from warming the
atmosphere to the same extent it does at the equator.
Three Climatic Zones
Average temperatures cool with increasing latitude, producing well-defined climatic
zones on the planet.
The Tropic Zones extend from the equator north to the Tropic of Cancer at
23.5 degrees north to the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees south. This is a
region of generally warm temperatures and lush tropical vegetation.
The Temperate Zones extend from the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to
the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, which are located at 66.5 degrees north and
south latitude respectively. These regions experience moderate temperatures
and large temperature variations. The summers are hot and the winters cool.
The Polar Zones extend from the Arctic and Antarctic Circles to the poles. In
these regions, temperatures are cold and vegetation sparse.
Latitude, or how far one is from the equator, greatly affects the climate and
weather of an area. If you live close to the equator, the climate will be warmer, while
moving north or south from the equator brings a cooler climate. Altitude, or how high
one is above sea level, has a similar effect–the higher the elevation, the colder the
climate.
Sources: sciencing.com
Instructional Materials:
World map or globe
Diagrams
References: Science 10 TG; Pp. 118, Science 10 LM; Pp. 144
Integration: Araling Panlipunan
Skills: Locate different places using a globe or map
III. PROCEDURE
a. Prayer
b. Greetings
c. Checking of attendance
IV. Lesson Proper
A. ELICIT
Can you recall out topic in Araling Panlipunan or in your Science 7 about
the latitude and longitude?
1. What is latitude?
2. And what is longitude?
3. What are the important lines of latitude?
4. What is equator?
B. ENGAGE
Complete the table below. Locate the places given below using the world
map and identify the climatic zones of each place.
Place Latitude Climatic Zones
Philippines
Australia
New York
1. why is it the Philippines has a tropical climate?
2. And why do Australia and New York have temperate climate?
3. What do you think is the factor that affects the climate of these
countries?
C. EXPLORE
Essential question:
How latitude affects climate?
Group Activity
Perform Activity 1: “When the Sun’s Rays Strike”
LM Science 9 Quarter; page 1
Key questions:
1. How much is the tilt of the earth’s axis?
2. Which part of the earth receives most of the sun’s rays?
3. Why does the amount of heat receive by places far from the
equator become less?
D. EXPLAIN
Group Reporting:
Key questions:
1. Why it is a certain place is closer to the equator has a
tropical season?
2. And why it is if a place away from the equator has a
colder temperature?
E. ELABORATE
Key questions:
1. Do you think the latitude of place affects climate? How?
*Application:
Compare the location of Japan to the location of the
Philippines, is there a possibility that we can experience snow?
E. EVALUATE
1. Which of the following is true about how latitude affects climate?
a) The closer a location is to the equator, the cooler its climate will be
b) The closer a location is to the poles, the warmer its climate will be
c) Latitude has no effect on climate
d) The closer a location is to the equator, the warmer its climate will be
2. Which of the following is a reason why the climate at the equator is warmer
than at the poles?
a) The equator receives more direct sunlight than the poles
b) The poles are covered in ice and snow which reflects sunlight
c) The equator has more clouds which trap heat
d) The poles have more vegetation which absorbs heat
3. Which of the following regions is likely to have the warmest climate?
a) A region near the North Pole.
b) A region near the South Pole.
c) A region near the equator.
d) A region near the Tropic of Cancer.
4. Which of the following is true about the relationship between latitude and
climate?
a) As latitude increases, temperature generally decreases
b) As latitude increases, temperature generally increases
c) Latitude has no effect on temperature
d) The relationship between latitude and temperature is random
F. EXTEND
Define what is an Altitude is.
Prepared by: Charmen P. Flores
