Secrets of Temperature Zones
a short story about climate for middle school students
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In the small town of Sunnyvale, a green-haired girl named Sasha sat, exploring her collection of books and world maps. While reading a book about weather, she stumbled upon a fascinating topic: how latitude, elevation, and proximity to the ocean influence temperature patterns.
Little did she know that this discovery would take her on an incredible journey.
With excitement bubbling inside her, Sasha decided to dive deeper into this new world of knowledge. She gathered her map, pen, and trusty GPS and set off to explore the tropical, temperate, and polar zones. Sasha knew that the best way to learn was through real-life experiences.
Her first destination was the tropical zone. Sasha found herself in a lush rainforest, surrounded by towering trees and colorful birds. The air was warm and humid, making Sasha's skin tingle. She learned that the tropical zone is near the equator (latitude is 0 degrees), where the sun's rays hit the Earth most directly. The proximity to the equator meant that the temperature here stayed warm and consistent throughout the year.
Next, Sasha traveled to the temperate zone. She found herself in a beautiful valley, filled with rolling hills and blooming flowers. The temperature was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. Sasha discovered that the temperate zone is located farther away from the equator (about 30 degrees North latitude), where the sun's rays are spread out over a larger area. This resulted in more moderate temperatures, with distinct seasons throughout the year.
As Sasha embarked on her final adventure, she found herself in the polar zone. She arrived at a snowy wonderland, where everything was covered in a soft, white blanket. The air was chilly, and Sasha could see her breath as she exhaled. She learned that the polar zones are located near the Earth's poles, where the sun's rays hit at a slanted angle, spreading the heat over a larger area. This caused the temperatures to be extremely cold, especially during winter.
With her newfound knowledge, Sasha returned to Sunnyvale, eager to share her amazing journey with her classmates. She organized a special presentation, showcasing her adventures and explaining how latitude, elevation, and proximity to the ocean influenced temperature patterns. Her friends were captivated by her storytelling and amazed by the fascinating facts she shared.
From that day forward, Sasha became known as the "Explorer Extraordinaire" among her friends. She continued to embark on exciting journeys, always seeking new knowledge, and sharing her discoveries with others. And as she grew older, Sasha's adventures inspired her to become a renowned scientist, making groundbreaking discoveries that would help protect our planet.
Educational resource references:
C3:D2.Geo.1.6-8. Construct maps to represent and explain the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics.
C3:D2.Geo.2.6-8. Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, as well as chang- es in their environmental characteristics.
Tags: geocomic earth geology temperature climate weather FK8
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