1. Refresher! How do we measure weather?

2. Microclimates Learning Objective:
To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area
Starter activity:
Which is the coldest part of the play ground?
Which is the warmest spot?
Learning Outcomes:
All – understand microclimates and why they can be different
Most – to suggest how microclimates can impact upon plants.
Some – start to plan your own investigation into microclimates

3. Microclimates Which area would be warmer and which colder?
In pairs, use your post-it note to label one feature that would change the temperature.
Why might this be?
You might say that each area has its own microclimate!
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

4. Can you define the term microclimate?
A microclimate describes the climate of a small environment such as a town, forest or garden.
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

5. Virtual Gardener Take about half a side and draw this into your book.
Extension: Can you suggest a better position for the greenhouse? Why?
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

6. Ideal growing conditions
Pair Activity
Plant
Ideal growing conditions A
This grass doesn’t need much sunlight but it does like to blow in the wind. B
This young tree needs lots of sun to grow and needs protection from the wind until it establishes its roots. C
This sunflower needs to kept very warm and out of the wind at all times D
This bonsai tree likes to be out of direct sunlight and the wind. E
These rushes are very thirsty and need lots of sunlight. F
These daffodils need to be where there is lots of sunshine and the ground isn’t too wet.
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

7. Virtual Gardener
Extension: Can you suggest a better position for the greenhouse? Why?
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area

8. Plenary + Investigation Prep:
If you had been given the task of finding a suitable place for a school bench how would you investigate this?
HINT: The ideal site will have the following characteristics:
· Not too shady
· Sheltered from wind
· Warm

9. Plenary
List the factors that affect microclimates
Think of 3 places around school that are affected by these factors

10. Outcomes 3 Know that local features can affect eg temperature
4 Know that local features can affect a range of variables
5 Understand how local features affect variables
6 Appreciate how microclimate affects our lives
Objective: To understand the factors which affect weather in a small area