Science·Weather & Climate·conceptual
The Atmosphere
Know that Earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere, that air has weight and exerts pressure, that the atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation and keeps the planet warm enough for life, and that weather happens in the lowest layer (troposphere)
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is exploring how the Sun drives weather patterns and creates different climate zones around Earth, learning about extreme weather events, climate change, and how people design solutions to protect communities from weather hazards.
Evidence of understanding
- Define the atmosphere as the layer of air surrounding Earth
- State that air has weight and exerts pressure
- Explain that weather occurs in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere
Assessment prompt
Can The Atmosphere explain that we're surrounded by a blanket of air called the atmosphere, that this air actually has weight and pushes on everything, and that all our weather happens in the lowest layer?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.