Climates on Earth

Data layers	Sample map images (click for large)	Discussion questions (examples)
1. Continents 2. Countries 3. Graticule (lat & longitude lines)	(click for large)	Prediction questions: What do you think is the average temperature on earth? Is it the same everywhere?  Why or why not? Where would it be warmer?  Cooler? Why?
6. Average surface temperature (Jan - Dec) [June and Dec shown here]	June   Dec (click for large)	Discussion questions: What do you notice?  Patterns? Where were our predictions right?  Where were they wrong? Where is it the warmest? Is that always true? Where is it the coldest? What makes the earth warm? What makes it cold? How can we explain the different temperatures we see? Why would it be different temperatures in the same place in different months?
9. Elevation	(click for large)	Discussion questions: Where are there higher and lower elevations? Does elevation affect temperature?  How do you know?  Why would it?
10. Average precipitation (Jan - Dec)	(click for large)	Discussion questions: Where is there the most precipitation?  Where is there less?  Any patterns? Is it different in different months?  How? Does precipitation affect temperature?
11. Vegetation	(click for large)	Discussion questions: Could the vegetation growing in an area affect the temperature?  How?  Why? Could the temperature affect the vegetation?  How? What patterns do you notice of temperature and vegetation?