GoalExplain the causes and effects of floods and droughts, say where each is most likely with evidence, and plan a group climate display.
New words
flood · water covering land that is usually dry, often after heavy raindrought · a very long time without enough rainclaim · a statement you say is true and then support with evidencedisplay · a poster or exhibit that shows information
Explanation
Floods and droughts are water problems linked to climate. A flood happens when a lot of rain falls in a short time. The ground cannot soak up all the water, rivers overflow and low land near them fills with water. Flood water can move fast, so it is dangerous, and it can make drinking water dirty. A drought is the opposite: a very long time without enough rain. Rivers and lakes can dry up, plants die, farms grow less food, and clean drinking water is harder to find. Both are linked to the water cycle, because precipitation is the part that brings water to the land. Where is each most likely? A flood is most likely in a wetland or beside a river, because the land is low and next to water. A drought is most likely in a desert, because rain is rare. This is a claim, and we support a claim with evidence. For a class climate display, each group takes one habitat and prepares five parts: a short description of its climate, its place in the world, a sketch showing how water moves there, two living things that depend on it, and a map. One child leads each part, and the group uses a checklist to make sure nothing is missing.
a lot of rain in a short time→the ground cannot soak it all up→the river overflows→low land is flooded
Worked examples
very little rain for months→rivers and lakes shrink→plants die→less food and clean water
A drought step by step.
Habitat
Claim
Evidence
wetland
a flood is likely
the land is low and next to water
desert
a drought is likely
rain is very rare
Claims with evidence.
Part
Leader
Done?
climate overview
Seif
✓
where it is found
Mariam
✓
water cycle diagram
Karim
✓
two plants or animals
Farida
not yet
map
Youssef
not yet
Our display plan. The group has 5 children and 5 parts, so each child leads 1 part. So far 3 parts are done, so 5 − 3 = 2 parts are still to do.
Class activity
Climate display for a habitat. In a group of five, choose a habitat such as a desert, a wetland or a grassland. Use the five-part checklist, with one leader for each part. With a grown-up, find the facts for your part, then put all the parts on one poster. Practise presenting it in two minutes. Finish by writing one thing you still wonder about your habitat’s climate.
Practice
1
What causes a flood?
A lot of rain in a short time. The ground cannot soak it up, so the river overflows.
2
Give one effect of a drought on farms.
The farms grow less food, because the plants do not get enough water.
3
Claim: a drought is likely in a desert. What is the evidence?
Rain is very rare in a desert.
4
The checklist shows which parts a group has finished. How many parts are not done?
