The climate of China
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use climate graphs to investigate what China’s climate is like and how it varies from place to place.
Key learning points
- China’s climate varies considerably because of its large size and diverse landscape.
- Much of China has a monsoon climate with dry winters and wetter summers.
- Temperatures in part of China can reach more than 50oC in the summer.
- China’s lowest recorded temperature was -53oc in Mohe, the country’s northernmost city.
- Some places in China receive heavy rainfall; other places have an arid climate.
Keywords
Climate - an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more)
Temperature - the degree of hotness or coldness of a place
Monsoon - a seasonal change in wind direction that brings a very rainy season or a very dry season
Latitude - imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees
Altitude - height above sea level or ground level
Common misconception
Confusion about the difference between weather and climate.
The weather of a place describes the day to day conditions of the atmosphere. Climate is an average of weather conditions in a place over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).
Teacher tip
Investigate climate data from other locations in India and make comparisons with climate data from the UK.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is climate?
Q2.Which of these factors affects the climate of a region?
Q3.What climate is typically found near the equator?
Q4.What does a desert climate typically have?
Q5.On which continent is China located?
Q6.Is China located north or south of the equator?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the difference between weather and climate?
Q2.What is the climate like in most of China?
Q3.Which region of China is known for having a desert climate?
Q4.What major weather event occurs in China during summer?
To help you plan your 7 geography lesson on: The climate of China, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 geography lesson on: The climate of China, 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.
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Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the China: a global superpower? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.