Convection and Global Weather Patterns Reading and Worksheet

This global weather patterns reading is the easiest way to cover NGSS MS-ES2-6: 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.

This article is designed to teach students about how convection influences global air and water circulation patterns at a level appropriate for middle school.

Includes both print and digital Google Slides options to assign!

In this activity, students will:

• READ an article about how convection drives global atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
• DEFINE key terms from the text.
• ANSWER text-dependent questions. All answers come directly from the text, so no prior knowledge is required!

Topics Covered in the Article:

• The basics of how convection works
• Convection drives Earth’s weather patterns by creating circulation of air and water
• How the Sun’s uneven heating creates global pressure and wind systems
• Oceanic circulation distributes heat globally and affects regional climates
• Key terms such as Coriolis effect, trade winds, cell, etc.

Teacher Notes:

• Answer key is included.
• Please note that this global weather patterns reading is not editable.
• GO PAPERLESS! Use the included digital Google Slides version.
• NGSS Standard: MS-ESS2-6
• You can also shop my TPT store!

Related Standard:

• 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. Emphasis is on how patterns vary by latitude, altitude, and geographic land distribution. Emphasis of atmospheric circulation is on the sunlight-driven latitudinal banding, the Coriolis effect, and resulting prevailing winds; emphasis of ocean circulation is on the transfer of heat by the global ocean convection cycle, which is constrained by the Coriolis effect and the outlines of continents. Examples of models can be diagrams, maps and globes, or digital representations. Assessment does not include the dynamics of the Coriolis effect.