Date: April 23, 2003

Grade Level: 3, 4, 5, 6

Subject(s):

• Science/Meteorology
• Health/Safety
• Language Arts/Writing
• Computer Science

Duration: 10-11 class sessions

Description: Studying tornadoes has great interest and practical application for students. Knowing how to ascertain when danger is approaching and how to protect oneself from the danger is very important. More than 1000 tornadoes occur each year. Creating a booklet for the family on the weather before a tornado, the warning signs that keep the public informed, where to go in your home if a tornado is coming, the supplies to have ready in case of a tornado, and what to do when a tornado has passed will give students a sense of security. The booklet will also lead to family planning and discussions of safety in our unsettled world.

Goals:
National Science Education Standards :
Earth and Space Science Content Standard D: As a result of their activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of changes in earth and sky.

NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts :

• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

1. Students will understand the causes and consequences of tornadoes.
2. Students will use the assignment to discuss and plan with families.
3. Students will create a booklet that describes the safety measures to be taken when a tornado occurs.
4. Students will use web links to find information on tornadoes.
5. Students will edit writing for an audience.

• computers with Internet access
• map of the United States
• paper, pencils, and other materials for making booklets
• Graphic Organizer
• Outline for Tornadoes (graphic organizer)
• Basic Paragraph Outline
• Word Clues
• Assignment Task
• Rubric
• Parent Response Sheet

Handouts in .pdf format; requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click the icon to obtain the free Reader.

Instructions and Activities:

Day 1:
Begin by showing students a map of the United States. Ask if they know what the central part of the country is noted for. Fourth and fifth graders should understand that it is frequently called "the breadbasket" because of the large amount of wheat that is grown there. Those students not having an understanding of this concept should be told. Explain that this area is also known for something else and that you will give them clues to what it is. Next, either hand out several copies of the Word Clues (for small groups) or put the Word Clues on a transparency for the whole class to see. Ask students to read the clues and add any information that they can. Most students will quickly guess that the word the clues are describing is "tornadoes." After the initial discussion, tell students that they will begin a study of tornadoes, finding out what happens before a tornado, what to do to be safe from a tornado, and what to do after a tornado.

Hand out the Rubric and the Assignment Task explaining the assignment to the class. Explain that they will be making a safety booklet for their families, and the rubric tells what is expected from each student. Tomorrow, students will begin their research using graphic organizers to record their data. Hand out and go over the two graphic organizers so students will be prepared for their research.

Days 2-5:
Allow students to use the computer to find the web links, read, and record the data that they find. If computers are not available for all students, let students work in small groups, taking time to share the reading and recording.

Days 6-10:
Let students begin on their booklets. Use the Outline and/or the Basic Paragraph Outline to help students organize the paragraphs for their brochures. If you have been able to obtain brochures, show these to the students, pointing out the headings, the information in paragraph form, and the illustrations. If no brochures are available, explain to students that you want this form. Remember to remind students that the booklet is for their families and must be written with correct punctuation and spelling. Let students take home their booklets and share with their families. Many of the safety precautions for tornadoes could easily be the same ones necessary should there be an emergency of any kind. Send home the parent response form to be completed and returned to you. If possible, have a sharing time when students discuss the reactions of their parents to the booklets that they have made.

Extensions:
Have students share their booklets with other classrooms in the building. Groups of students could also make large posters for classrooms to post, since safety is important to everyone.

Assessment: The rubric, booklet, and the parent response sheet are all forms of assessment.

Useful Internet Resources:
* Encarta Encyclopedia Article - Tornado
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761554892

* Tornado Project Online
http://www.tornadoproject.com/index.html

* Tornadoes!! Grade 7 Natural Disasters Project
http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/tornado.html

* The Fujita Scale
http://www.tornadoproject.com/fscale/fscale.htm#top

* All About Tornadoes
http://alumni.engin.umich.edu/~dkyser/weather/tornado.htm

* A Look at Different Shapes and Sizes of Tornadoes
http://www.chaseday.com/tornadoes.htm

* Thunderstorms... Tornadoes...Lightning
A Preparedness Guide Including Tornado Safety Information for Schools
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/ttl.pdf

* The Weather Channel - Inside Tornadoes
http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/tornado/inside/about.html

* National Science Education Standards (NSES)
http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/