Teachers' notes

Teaching objectives/Learning outcomes

By the end of the lesson, pupils will know and understand:

• the characteristics of depressions and fronts and the sequence of associated weather
• the characteristics of anticyclones and the contrast between those in summer and in winter.

Resources required

Computers with internet access would be desirable. Alternatively if internet access is not available, printed copies of student sheets and worksheets should be made.

Prior knowledge required

A basic background of weather and climate.

Teaching activities

Students can visit the following pages to gain a basic background into the topics covered:

• Interpreting weather maps
• Weather charts

The information on the student sheets can be delivered by the teacher and activities completed individually. Alternatively students can work through the whole lesson themselves.

Part A - Anticyclones and Depressions

Part B - Fronts

Part C - Life cycle of a depression

Part D - Depression cross-section and weather sequence

Exercises

Five worksheets with exercises are provided to consolidate learning.

• Worksheet 1
• Worksheet 1 - extension
• Worksheet 2
• Worksheet 3
• Worksheet 4

Suggestions for home work

Any of the worksheet activities can be completed.

Reproduced with the kind permission of the Met Office