Lake District weather and climate
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can research and explain some of the impacts of weather and climate on the Lake District
Key learning points
- Milder winters and cooler summers than would normally be expected at this latitude (54-55 degrees north).
- The climate is influenced by the sea, particularly the Gulf stream, with relief rainfall from prevailing westerlies.
- The climate and landscape suits hill farming with hardy sheep but it is hard to grow crops there.
- The temperature drops as altitude increases, meaning that the tops of the mountains are colder than the valleys.
Keywords
Climate - Climate is the long term pattern of weather, usually taken over more than 30 years
Gulf Stream - The Gulf Stream is a strong, warm ocean current that travels across the Atlantic Ocean towards western Europe
Latitude - Lines of latitude are Imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees
Wind farm - A wind farm is an area in the countryside where a group of wind turbines has been placed to generate electricity
Hydro-electric - Hydro-electric power generates electricity by using water
Common misconception
Children may think latitude is the only factor in influencing temperature.
Explain that in winter the UK is tilted away from the Sun, which means it has less influence.
Teacher tip
This lesson links to the Year 4 Science National Curriculum topics on the water cycle and electricity.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key word with the correct definition.
Q2.What is the process where rock is worn away and removed?
Q3.Where in the Lake District are the highest peaks found?
Q4.How many lakes and tarns does the Lake District have?
Q5.What forms in a corrie?
Q6.Which of these are lakes/tarns in the Lake District and which of these are mountains?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the climate of the Lake District?
Q2.Match the key term to the correct definition.
Q3.Why is the Lake District warmer than we expect?
Q4.How does the temperature change as the altitude increases?
Q5.Where are the wettest parts of the UK? Unscramble the letters to help you find the answer.
Q6.What does the climate of the Lake District suit?
To help you plan your 4 geography lesson on: Lake District weather and climate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 geography lesson on: Lake District weather and climate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the UK region: why is the Lake District a national park? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.