Year 3 geography climate zones - How are climate zones different around the world?

Enquiry question: How are climate zones different around the world?

Unit context
This geography unit ensures that pupils understand what climate is, before moving on to describe the different climate zones found around the world. In preparation for beginning this unit and to excite pupils about the content, activities from the Discovery Box can be sent home. In Lesson 1, pupils learn the difference between weather and climate, and study the data shown on a table containing climate information, as well as a climate graph. They set up their own weather investigation using a weather station and record the weather in their local area over a week. In Lesson 2, pupils learn that climate differs around the world. They learn the names of the different climate zones, their position around the world and their positions in relation to the Equator and the Tropics. Pupils also consider which climate zones are found in each continent and learn to describe the typical climate of each zone.
Next, pupils learn more about specific climate zones (polar, subpolar, temperate, Mediterranean, tropical, equatorial, and arid), and compare them. They also use atlases to find specific places in certain climate zones, write the latitude for specific places, and compare places within different climate zones. In the final lesson, pupils investigate the weather and climate of the United Kingdom and perform their own experiments using a weather station.
Further to the standard lesson resources, additional resources are provided including a Knowledge organiser, posters and a Discovery box containing fantastic cross-curricular activities.
End of unit assessment
At the end of the unit, pupils will be encouraged to show what they have learned in this unit by explaining how and why climate zones differ around the world. They should draw knowledge from each of the relevant lessons to show their understanding.