Term 3 CAPS Framework: Climate and Vegetation Around the World. A colourful, learner-friendly study hub for understanding climates, world rainfall, tropical rainforests, hot deserts and coniferous forests.
In Term 3, Grade 6 learners study climate and vegetation around the world. The focus is on how temperature and rainfall influence the plants and animals found in different environments.
Different parts of the world have different climates. Some places are hot and wet, some are hot and dry, and some are cool or cold for much of the year. These climate differences affect the type of natural vegetation that grows there.
Weather and climate are connected, but they are not the same. Weather describes the conditions outside on a specific day. Climate describes the usual weather patterns of a place over a long period of time.
Weather can change from day to day or even during the same day.
Climate tells us what weather is usually like in a place over many years.
Explain the difference between weather and climate using your own example.
Geographers use maps to show where different climates are found. World maps can show rainfall, temperature, deserts, forests and other natural regions.
Tropical rainforests are found mainly in hot, wet areas near the Equator. They receive high rainfall and have warm temperatures throughout the year. This allows many plants to grow close together.
Often found near the Equator, for example in parts of South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia.
Hot and wet for most of the year, with high rainfall and humid air.
Tall trees, thick leaves, vines and many layers of plants.
Why do you think tropical rainforests have many different kinds of plants and animals?
Hot deserts are places that receive very little rainfall. Days can be very hot, while nights may become much cooler. Because there is so little water, plants and animals must be specially adapted to survive.
Hot deserts are found in different parts of the world, such as northern Africa, parts of Australia and parts of the Middle East.
Very dry, with little rainfall and high daytime temperatures.
Few plants grow. Some have small leaves, waxy skins, thorns or deep roots.
Name one desert plant adaptation and explain how it helps the plant survive.
Coniferous forests are found mainly in cooler parts of the world. They are made up mostly of cone-bearing trees such as pine, fir and spruce. Many coniferous trees stay green throughout the year.
Common in parts of North America, Europe and Asia where climates are cooler.
Often cool or cold, with long winters and shorter summers.
Trees often have needle-like leaves and a cone shape that helps snow slide off.
An adaptation is a feature or behaviour that helps a plant or animal survive in its environment. Different climates create different challenges, so living things adapt in different ways.
Geography is about using information carefully. Learners must practise reading maps, interpreting keys, comparing places and explaining relationships between climate, vegetation and wildlife.
Each concept can later be linked to detailed notes, interactive worksheets, immediate marking and complete learner feedback.
Detailed explanations per concept.
Digital practice activities.
Immediate marks and feedback.