- Definition
Climate is the typical weather a place has over many years, like how hot or cold it usually gets, or how much rain it normally receives.
A desert has a hot and dry climate because it is usually hot and gets very little rain over many years.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Climate is like the kinds of clothes you keep in your closet all year, while weather is the outfit you pick for today.
Ask your child: What clothes do we wear most often where we live?
Common mix-up: Kids often confuse climate with weather, which is what's happening today. Climate is the pattern of weather over many years, like knowing it's usually cold in winter and hot in summer.
Examples
- The North Pole has a cold climate because it is snowy and icy almost all year round.
- A rainforest has a warm and wet climate because it is usually hot and rains a lot.
climate is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 4 The Arts
- Grade 5 Science and Technology
- Grade 6 Science and Technology
- Grade 7 Science and Technology
- Grade 8 Science and Technology
+49 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
