El Niño vs. La Niña Comparison

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 to build understanding of global climate systems by comparing El Niño and La Niña within the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Learners analyze differences in Pacific Ocean temperatures, winter weather patterns, rainfall distribution, hurricane activity, and agricultural effects, then apply that knowledge by classifying statements as El Niño or La Niña, strengthening climate literacy, comparison skills, and scientific reasoning.

Learning Goals

• Climate Patterns & ENSO (Grades 5-7) – Students understand how El Niño and La Niña differ within the ENSO cycle.
• Data Comparison & Chart Analysis – Learners organize and compare scientific information using a structured chart.
• Global Weather Impacts – Examines how ocean temperature changes affect weather, storms, and rainfall worldwide.
• Concept Reinforcement – Classification task strengthens accurate identification of climate characteristics.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper-elementary and middle school science standards.
• Clear Comparison Structure – Side-by-side chart supports comprehension of complex concepts.
• Applies Prior Knowledge – Encourages synthesis of classroom learning and scientific vocabulary.
• Low-Prep & Printable – Easy to use for science lessons, review, assessment, or homeschool instruction.

This printable climate science worksheet helps students develop a clearer understanding of how large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions influence global weather. By comparing El Niño and La Niña and applying that knowledge to classification tasks, learners strengthen analytical thinking, data interpretation, and climate awareness. Ideal for classroom or homeschool use, this activity provides a focused, accessible way to explore climate variability and its real-world effects.

This worksheet is part of our Weather and Climate Worksheets Collection.