Idea 4: Sequencing
Sequencing is an effective practice to help pupils think through processes logically. This exercise is also supported with consolidating knowledge through application in a different method to help pupils visualise the GAC.
Starter
Provide pupils with a biome map and give them time to think about why certain biomes are located where they are. Challenge them to think about how the weather affects these places and why.
Main
1. Hand out the sheet with the statements about the GAC.
3. Pupils watch the video and then add numbers in the box next to each statement to put them in order.
4. Optional task: pupils can cut out the statements and put them in order in their notes if this is useful to them.
5. Peer mark sequence using answers on the board.
Statements (pupil copy)
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Where air is rising, it generates more precipitation in these locations which is why Tropical rainforests are located where they area and the UK tends to be quite wet. |
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The cold, dense descending air in the Polar regions flow at low levels to about 60o – 70o north or south of the Equator. |
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However, because the planet rotates, we have three cells in both the northern and southern hemisphere. |
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They transfer heat from the Tropics to the Poles as well as being semi-permanent areas of High and Low-pressure. |
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The largest of the cells are the Hadley cells. These form at the Equator where the warmer, less dense air rises to a height of about 18km. |
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It then cools and sinks back to the Earth’s surface returning to the Equator. |
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The smallest of the cells are the Polar cells. |
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If the Earth didn’t rotate or have oceans, we would have a single cell in each hemisphere where heat from the Tropics would rise, move towards the Poles, cool, and return to the Equator. |
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They move in the same way at the Hadley cells but are driven by cold descending air. |
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The Ferrel cells are found between the Hadley and Polar cells. These are not driven by temperature but flow in the opposite direction to the other two cells like a cog. |
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As the air leaves the Polar regions, it starts to warm and rise, returning to the Poles at higher levels. |
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The Tropics receive more heat from the Sun than the poles. |
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Where air is descending, there are generally clear skies and little rainfall. This is often where our deserts are located. |
Plenary
Pupils create a sketched diagram of the GAC and use the numbers from the sequencing sheet to annotate the diagram.
Statements (answers)
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1 |
The Tropics receive more heat from the Sun than the poles. |
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2 |
If the Earth didn’t rotate or have oceans, we would have a single cell in each hemisphere where heat from the Tropics would rise, move towards the Poles, cool, and return to the Equator. |
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3 |
However, because the planet rotates, we have three cells in both the northern and southern hemisphere. |
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4 |
The largest of the cells are the Hadley cells. These form at the Equator where the warmer, less dense air rises to a height of about 18km. |
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5 |
It then cools and sinks back to the Earth’s surface returning to the Equator. |
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6 |
The smallest of the cells are the Polar cells. |
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7 |
They move in the same way at the Hadley cells but are driven by cold descending air. |
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8 |
The cold, dense descending air in the Polar regions flow at low levels to about 60o – 70o north or south of the Equator. |
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9 |
As the air leaves the polar regions, it starts to warm and rise, returning to the poles at higher levels. |
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10 |
The Ferrel cells are found between the Hadley and Polar cells. These are not driven by temperature but flow in the opposite direction to the other two cells like a cog. |
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11 |
They transfer heat from the Tropics to the Poles as well as being semi-permanent areas of High and Low-pressure. |
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12 |
Where air is descending, there are generally clear skies and little rainfall. This is often where our deserts are located. |
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13 |
Where air is descending, there is generally high pressure which provides calm, settled weather with clear skies and little rainfall often where our deserts are located. |