How Do We Classify Climates?
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Provided by: Crash Course|Published on: April 27, 2021
Videos
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Synopsis
- This video uses potato cultivation in the Andes to describe different climates around the world.
- The video features sections on weather vs. climate, vertical climate zones, geo-literacy, ecological niches, and the Köppen climate classification system.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Authors: Crash Course
Region: South and Central America, Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video ends with an Indigenous land acknowledgment, focusing on the original inhabitants of South America.
- Excellent animations and graphics make this video easy to understand.
Prerequisites
- This is a great video to show students before discussing climate change.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Social studies and history students could watch this video when studying the Age of Exploration or the Columbian Exchange.
- Science teachers could show this video before starting a group project where students researched different climates around the world.
- Students could also explore this BiomeViewer or create a biome map.
This resource from Crash Course uses the history of potato cultivation to showcase the classification of the different climate zones across the globe. The information provided is accurate and verifiable. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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