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Year 5 - Geography

Climate of North and South America

North and South America: how diverse are their places and landscapes?

Unit Summary

This unit introduces the continents of North and South America through their physical and human features. Pupils explore climate, land use, and economic activity across different regions, and plan a journey that connects a range of contrasting places.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use climate data to investigate and describe different climates in North and South America.

Key Notes

  • There is a diverse range of landscapes and several major river systems in North and South America.
  • There is a diverse range of climate zones in North and South America.
  • There is a diverse range of biomes and vegetation belts in North and South America.
  • The key physical features of North and South America can be investigated using resources including atlases and maps.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • weather: The weather of a place is the day to day condition of the atmosphere, e.g. sunny, snowing, warm etc.
  • climate: Climate describes the average weather conditions over a long period of time.
  • latitude: Lines of latitude are imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.
  • Equator: The Equator is an imaginary line encircling Earth at 0° latitude and is an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Earth is significantly closer to the Sun at the Equator.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

There is a diverse range of landscapes and several major river systems in North and South America. There is a diverse range of climate zones in North and South America.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'weather'

The weather of a place is the day to day condition of the atmosphere, e.g. sunny, snowing, warm etc.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Earth is significantly closer to the Sun at the Equator. Correction: Revisit pupils' prior learning about the Earth and space in science.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 Geography guide library.