Common trees
Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of tree species with this labelling worksheet.
Key points:
- How many different species of tree can you think of?
- How long have trees been on planet Earth?
- The oldest tree in Britain is a Yew in Wales and is believed to be more than 3,000 years old
Deciduous or evergreen?
Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of tree species with this classification worksheet.
Key points:
- What do the words deciduous and evergreen mean?
- How many different species of tree can you think of?
Continents and oceans
Increase and demonstrate locational knowledge of the world with this labelling activity.
Key points:
- The list and number of continents can vary because the meaning of 'continent' varies.
- Europe and Asia are joined and are sometimes referred to as 'Eurasia'.
- Africa is connected to Eurasia and together they are called 'Afro-Eurasia'.
- North and South America are sometimes combined into one 'America'.
- There are various names for the south-eastern continent with slightly different definitions and usage: Australia, Oceania, and Australasia. 'Zealandia' has been proposed as an additional continent!
The world's volcanoes
Increase and demonstrate geographical knowledge with this labelling activity.
Key points:
- This map shows the locations of the active volcanoes in the world.
- What is the difference between 'active', 'dormant' and 'extinct'?
- Do you notice any patterns in the occurrence of volcanoes?
- Why do you think the 'Ring of Fire' is so called?
The world's rainforests
Increase and demonstrate geographical knowledge with this labelling activity.
Rainforests across the globe
Tropical rainforests are found between two imaginary lines above and below the equator called the "Tropic of Cancer" and the "Tropic of Capricorn".
They consist of about 8% of the total land on earth.
Use the text and picture tools to write about the rainforests.
Key points:
- Tropical rainforests are where it is hot and wet all of the time.
- Temperate rainforests have a high rainfall but experience seasonal changes. They do not exist in the same place as tropical rainforests.
Rainforest scene
Create and write about your own rainforest scene with trees, plants and animals.
With the current rate of deforestation, your creation could be a great reminder of how a healthy rainforest looks today.
Key points:
- Where does your rainforest exist?
- What different types of animals and plants does it have living in it?
- Does it support any local or indigenous people?
Rainforest climate
Tropical rainforests have a very wet and hot climate. It is very humid due to the amount of rainfall, which is about 250cm of rain per year.
Every day is pretty much the same in a rainforest, where you can expect it to be hot and wet.
Use the text and picture tools to write about the climate in a rainforest. You may want to write a weather report.
Key points:
- Rainforests have the most predictable weather on earth.
- They help to stabilise the world's climate by absorbing large quantities of Carbon Dioxide.
Rainforest layers
Rainforests are made up of 4 layers; The emergent layer, canopy, understory and forest floor.
Each layer has a very important role in transporting water and supporting life. The tallest trees in the rainforest can grow up to 45 metres high.
Use the text and picture tools to write about the different layers in the rainforest.
Key points:
- Rainforests are so dense that hardly any light at all reaches the forest floor.
- Bamboo plants can grow up to 9 inches a day.
Rainforest habitats
Rainforests contain about 68% of the world's total animal and plant species.
The layers of the rainforest are home to many different types of animal and plant and each has adapted its own way of living there.
Use the picture and text tools to create your own scene and write about rainforest habitats.
Key points:
- The biggest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
- The sloth moves so slowly through the rainforest that algae grows on its fur.
Rainforest deforestation
Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of approximately 20 football pitches every minute.
Some of the reasons why this is happening is because wood and minerals can be extracted to make way for farm land and roads for growing local populations.
Create your own deforestation scene and write about it by using the text and picture tools.
Key points:
- There are some global organisations which help to protect the rainforests such as WWF and Greenpeace.
- Brazil has the highest rate of deforestation.
Rainforests in the future
With the current rate of deforestation being so high (an area up to the size of New York city being lost every day), the world's rainforests are at risk of disappearing forever at a very quick rate.
Responsible farming and green living are being encouraged by organisations to local populations living near rainforests to try and save them.
Use the picture and text tools to write about the future of our rainforests.
Key points:
- Can you think of any ways to help save the rainforests?
- Why are rainforests so important?
The polar ice caps
The polar regions of the globe are the Arctic (North) and the Antarctic (South).
Use the text and picture tools to present the facts you know about the polar ice caps.
Key points:
- Where are the polar ice caps?
- Why are they called "ice caps"?
- What effect do the have on the world's weather?
- How do they change throughout the year?
- What would the world be like without the ice caps?
Glaciers and icebergs
Use the text and picture tools to write about facts you know about glaciers and icebergs.
Key points:
- Glaciers are huge masses of ice which flow like really slow rivers.
- What causes solid ice to 'flow'?
- Where would you find glaciers?
- Icebergs are massive chunks of ice which break off from glaciers and ice sheets and float in the sea.
- Why does solid water float on liquid water?
- Where do icebergs go?
Global warming and its effects
The polar regions of the globe are made up of the Arctic (North) and the Antarctic (South).
Global warming is caused by many factors. If the Antarctic ice sheet melted completely, sea levels would rise by around 65 metres, which would mean London would be underwater!
Use the text and picture tools to present some facts you know about the Polar ice caps.
Key points:
- What would happen if just some of the ice melted?
- What changes have already occured?
- What is the impact on the polar wildlife?
- What things can we do to help?
Mountain ranges of the world
Increase and demonstrate your geographical knowledge with this labelling activity.
Key points:
- A mountain range can also be called a 'mountain chain'.
- Have you ever been to the mountains?
- Can you find out the names of the highest mountains in each range? (They are marked on the map with white triangles).
Some mountain ranges of Europe
Increase and demonstrate your geographical knowledge with this labelling activity.
Key points:
- Where are the biggest mountains in Europe? Use the key to find out.
- Can you find out the names of the tallest mountains in each range? (They are marked on the map with white triangles.)
Mountain ranges of North America
Increase and demonstrate your geographical knowledge with this labelling activity.
Key points:
- Which mountain ranges are in which countries (Canada, USA (including Alaska) or Mexico)?
- Which are the biggest mountains in North America? Use the key to find out.
- Can you find out the names of the tallest mountains in each range? (They are marked on the map with white triangles.)
Highest mountains
Match the names of these record-breaking mountains from across the world to their pictures. If you need support, use the 'Clues' button.
Mountain elevations 1
Position the mountains on the scale by their elevation above sea level.
Key points:
- What is the difference between elevation and height?
- What would happen to the order of the mountains if, instead of measuring elevation, you measured the increase of height from base to peak?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth by elevation, but Mauna Kea is the tallest if measured from its base on the ocean floor.
Mountain elevations 2
Position the mountains on the scale by their elevation above sea level.
Key points:
- What is the difference between elevation and height?
- What would happen to the order of the mountains if, instead of measuring elevation, you measured the increase of height from base to peak?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth by elevation, but Mauna Kea is the tallest if measured from its base on the ocean floor.
Order the mountains
Arrange the mountains in order on the line by their elevation above sea level. If you need help, use the 'Clues' button that will give you their heights.
Key points:
- What is the difference between elevation and height?
- What would happen to the order of the mountains if, instead of measuring elevation, you measured the increase of height from base to peak?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth by elevation, but Mauna Kea is the tallest if measured from its base on the ocean floor.
A mountain of the world
Pick a mountain from the photo bank or draw another one you know of. Maybe even create an imaginary mountain. Make a fact file for it. Write about its elevation, its location, its animals and plants, its formation and its relationship to humans. You may need to do some research!
Key points:
- Mountains are formed in various ways: vulcanism, tectonic uplift and glaciation.
- Vulcanism (volcanic activity) causes the build-up of volcanic rock from layers of cooling lava and ash.
- Tectonic uplift is where landmasses slowly collide together and push each other up.
- Glaciation is where the land is carved out by glaciers forming valleys and leaving mountains.
A mountain range of the world
Pick a photo from the photo bank and describe it. Try to imagine what the scene would be like as the seasons change. What animals and plants live there? Where in the world is it? What geological facts can you find out about the area?
Key points:
- Mountains are formed in various ways: vulcanism, tectonic uplift and glaciation.
- Vulcanism (volcanic activity) causes the build-up of volcanic rock from layers of cooling lava and ash.
- Tectonic uplift is where landmasses slowly collide together and push each other up.
- Glaciation is where the land is carved out by glaciers forming valleys and leaving mountains.
