Geography · Year 1 · Hot and Cold Places · Summer Term

Human Life in Extreme Climates

Comparing the daily lives of people living in very hot and very cold regions.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Geography - Human and Physical Geography
• KS1: Geography - Place Knowledge

About This Topic

Human beings are incredibly adaptable, living in some of the hottest and coldest places on our planet. This topic compares the daily lives of people in regions like the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Circle. It aligns with the National Curriculum's Human and Physical Geography targets, focusing on how the environment shapes human activity.

By comparing these extreme lifestyles, students learn about the relationship between climate, clothing, food, and shelter. They develop an appreciation for different cultures and the clever ways people solve environmental challenges. This unit also encourages them to think about their own lives and how the UK's temperate climate makes their daily routine different. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation using role play and 'survival' scenarios.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how the environment dictates dietary and clothing choices.
2. Compare the primary challenges of desert living versus Arctic living.
3. Justify why individuals choose to inhabit such challenging environments.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the typical daily clothing and food choices of individuals living in the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Circle.
• Explain how extreme temperatures in desert and Arctic environments influence shelter construction and daily routines.
• Analyze the primary environmental challenges faced by people living in desert versus Arctic regions.
• Justify why people might choose to live in challenging desert or Arctic environments, considering cultural and economic factors.

Before You Start

Identifying Different Types of Weather

Why: Students need to be able to recognize basic weather conditions like hot, cold, sunny, and snowy to understand climate differences.

Basic Needs of Living Things

Why: Understanding that all living things need food, water, and shelter provides a foundation for exploring how these needs are met in extreme environments.

Key Vocabulary

Nomadic	Describes people who move from place to place, often following food sources or favorable weather, common in some desert regions.
Permafrost	Ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, a defining feature of Arctic landscapes that impacts building and travel.
Adaptation	The process by which living things, including humans, change over time to survive better in their environment, such as developing specific clothing or housing.
Subsistence	The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level, often through farming, hunting, or fishing in extreme environments.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

People in hot/cold places are 'poor' or 'unhappy'.

What to Teach Instead

Children often view different lifestyles through a lens of lack. Use videos of modern, thriving communities in these regions to show that people love their homes and have developed amazing technology and traditions to thrive there.

Common Misconception

Everyone in the desert lives in a tent.

What to Teach Instead

Students may have a stereotypical view of desert life. Use photos of modern cities like Dubai or Cairo to show that people live in many different types of buildings, even in extreme heat.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: A Day in the Life

Divide the class into 'Desert Dwellers' and 'Arctic Explorers'. Each group must act out a daily task, like getting water or building a house, using props that suit their climate (e.g., a loose robe vs. a heavy parka).

30 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: House Designers

In small groups, students are given a 'climate challenge'. They must design a house for a very hot place (with shade and fans) or a very cold place (with thick walls and a fire) using craft materials.

45 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: What's for Dinner?

Show photos of food from different climates (e.g., dates and flatbread from the desert, fish and berries from the Arctic). Students discuss with a partner why people eat these things and why they might be hard to find in the other climate.

15 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Inuit communities in Canada's Arctic rely on traditional knowledge of ice conditions and animal migration patterns for subsistence hunting, a practice passed down through generations.
• Tuareg people, often called 'Blue Men of the Desert', wear loose, dark robes and head coverings to protect themselves from the intense sun and sandstorms in the Sahara.
• Researchers studying climate change in polar regions often live in specialized research stations designed to withstand extreme cold and provide essential resources for extended periods.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Give students a card with a picture of either a desert or an Arctic scene. Ask them to write two sentences describing one way people adapt their clothing or food to live there, and one challenge they might face.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you had to move to either the Sahara Desert or the Arctic Circle. What are the top three things you would need to pack or prepare, and why?' Facilitate a class discussion comparing responses for each environment.

Quick Check

Show images of different types of housing (e.g., igloo, tent, sturdy house). Ask students to point to or name the environment each type of house is best suited for and explain one reason why.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students understand life in extreme climates?

Active learning, such as role play and house design challenges, allows students to 'step into the shoes' of people living in different environments. By solving the same problems those people face, like staying cool or finding food, students develop a deeper, more empathetic understanding of human geography.

What are the biggest challenges in a desert?

The main challenges are finding enough water, staying out of the intense sun, and dealing with the fact that it can get very cold at night when the sun goes down.

How do people in the Arctic get around?

Traditionally, they used dog sleds and kayaks. Today, many people use snowmobiles and planes. This is a great way to talk about how technology changes over time.

Why do people choose to live in extreme places?

Often because their families have lived there for generations and they have a deep connection to the land. These places also have unique resources, like fish in the Arctic or minerals in the desert.