Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of extreme weather. Discuss how weather can change from calm to intense, and the importance of understanding these changes to stay safe.
Go to the LessonLesson Plans
Thunderstorms, Tornados and Hurricanes
Learning Objectives
- Understand the characteristics of thunderstorms, including heavy rain, gusty winds, lightning, and thunder.
- Describe what a tornado is and how it forms during a thunderstorm.
- Identify the features of a hurricane and understand how it forms over the ocean.
- Recognize the importance of safety measures during extreme weather events.
Introduction and Hook
Engage students with a brief discussion about their experiences with thunderstorms, tornadoes, or hurricanes, and what they know about these weather events.
Direct Instruction
Explain the characteristics of thunderstorms, including heavy rain, gusty winds, lightning, and thunder. Highlight the importance of staying indoors during such events.
Describe how tornadoes form during a thunderstorm, emphasizing the powerful spinning winds and their potential impact.
Introduce hurricanes as large storms forming over the ocean, explaining their features and the damage they can cause when they move onto land.
Guided Exploration
Watch the 'Severe Weather' video to explore various types of severe weather, including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. This video provides visual demonstrations of these phenomena.
Discuss the video content, encouraging students to identify and describe the weather events they observed.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct a simple experiment to demonstrate how tornadoes form using two plastic bottles and water. This hands-on activity helps students visualize the spinning motion of tornadoes.
Create a weather safety poster as a class, outlining safety measures for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Independent Practice
Assign the 'Weekly Weather Diary' assessment, where students observe and record weather conditions over four weeks. This task assesses their understanding of weather patterns.
Check for Understanding
Conduct a short quiz to assess students' understanding of the characteristics of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Try the QuizReview and Reflection
Have students share their weather diaries and discuss any patterns they noticed. Encourage them to reflect on how weather affects their daily lives.
Assessment and Extension
Use the 'Extreme Weather' assessment to evaluate students' ability to identify and describe different extreme weather events. This activity reinforces vocabulary and observational skills.
Encourage students to explore weather forecasting by watching the 'Weather Forecasts' video. This video highlights the science behind predicting weather and its importance for safety.
