Materials & Prep
Gather a globe or world map, a board or projector, and copies of the teacher-created climate data table and comparison organizer. Write the prediction question on the board: “Which place is warmer, Quito or Guayaquil? Explain your prediction.”
Opening prediction
Ask“Quito and Guayaquil are both in Ecuador and close to the Equator. Quito is about 2,850 meters above sea level, while Guayaquil is near sea level. Which city would you predict is warmer, and why?” Students commit to a prediction individually, then compare with a partner. Do not confirm the answer yet.
RecallAsk students to draw from memory where the Sun’s rays are more direct, near the Equator or near the poles. Have them explain their choice in one sentence. Listen for the idea that latitude means distance north or south of the Equator, not simply being “far north.”
Build the idea
DisplayUse the globe or map to show that places near the Equator receive more direct sunlight over the year, while places at higher latitudes receive sunlight at a lower angle. Explain that this is why latitude affects climate: in general, places farther from the Equator are cooler, although seasons, oceans, winds, and other factors also matter.
DefineLatitude is distance north or south of the Equator. Elevation is height above sea level. In general, temperature decreases as elevation increases because the air is thinner and holds less heat at higher elevations.
Think aloud“Quito is almost at 0 degrees latitude, so its latitude would suggest a warm climate. But Quito is about 2,850 meters high. Guayaquil is almost the same latitude and is near sea level. Since their latitudes are nearly alike, elevation is the important difference in this comparison. I predict Quito is cooler.”
ConfrontReturn to the opening prediction. Emphasize that being near the Equator does not guarantee that a place is hot. Latitude matters, but elevation can make a nearby place much cooler. The common mistake is treating climate as determined only by how far north or south a place is.
Guided comparison
Display
Teacher-created climate snapshot, rounded averages
Place Latitude Elevation above sea level Average annual temperature Quito 0.2°S 2,850 m 14°C Guayaquil 2.2°S 4 m 26°C Singapore 1.3°N 15 m 27°C New York 40.7°N 10 m 13°C
ModelCompare Quito and Guayaquil. “The latitudes differ by only about 2 degrees, so latitude is not likely to explain a 12°C temperature difference. Quito is 2,846 meters higher. The data show Quito at 14°C and Guayaquil at 26°C. Therefore, Quito’s much higher elevation helps explain why it is cooler.”
Check for understandingStudents answer on paper: “Which factor best explains the difference between Quito and Guayaquil, latitude or elevation? Give two pieces of evidence.” Expected evidence is that the cities have nearly the same latitude, Quito is much higher, and Quito is 12°C cooler. Quickly scan responses and address answers that claim Quito is warmer simply because it is closer to the Equator.
Turn and talk“Why are Singapore and New York a useful comparison for latitude?” Students should note that both are near sea level, but Singapore is near the Equator and New York is much farther north, so their temperatures support the effect of latitude.
Independent comparison
Students use the data table to complete two comparisons in a short organizer. For each comparison, they name the factor that matters most, cite the relevant numbers, and write a conclusion.
Comparison 1: Quito and Guayaquil. Comparison 2: Singapore and New York.
ScaffoldProvide this sentence frame and let students use the map while writing: “ is [warmer/cooler] than because their latitudes/elevations are . The data show at and at . This suggests that affects climate in this comparison.” Students who need an entry point may first circle the larger latitude difference or elevation difference in each pair.
CirculateAsk, “Which factor are you using as evidence?” and “Are the two places similar or different in the other factor?” Look for students who name a factor without connecting it to the numbers.
ExtensionStudents write a third comparison using Quito and Singapore. They explain why the two places have similar latitudes but different temperatures, then identify one additional factor, such as ocean influence or local weather, that could help explain why their temperatures are not exactly the same.
Closing check
Exit ticket“Explain why Quito is cooler than Guayaquil even though both cities are near the Equator. Then compare New York and Singapore in one sentence, using latitude and the temperature data as evidence.”
A complete response should explain that Quito and Guayaquil have nearly the same latitude, but Quito is much higher in elevation and is 12°C cooler. It should explain that Singapore is near the Equator while New York is much farther north, and the data show Singapore is 14°C warmer. Collect the responses to check whether students can use both factors rather than naming latitude alone.