Atmospheric Circulation Activity (Graphing)

This atmospheric circulation activity will have your students analyzing real data and creating graphs! In this no-prep middle school Earth science activity, students graph temperature vs. latitude and air pressure vs. altitude to explore how unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives global wind and pressure patterns.

This resource is aligned to NGSS MS-ESS2-6.

There are TWO graphing worksheets included. They can be used together or completely independently of each other. The format of each activity is the same:

1. Students read a brief background information passage.
2. Students make a graph from the provided data.
3. Students answer questions from the information in the background info section.
4. Students complete a brief CER question based on the data they’ve graphed.

The two graphing topics included are:

• Temperature vs. latitude (line graph)
• Air pressure vs. altitude (line graphs)

⭐ Get this at a discount in my Atmospheric & Oceanic Circulation COMPLETE UNIT!

Teacher Notes:

• Please note that this atmospheric circulation activity is not editable.
• Answer keys are always included.
• NGSS MS-ESS2-6: Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
• You can also shop my TPT store!