Extreme Weather
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: The students will complete a weather research project by using print and
Internet-based resources.
ANTICIPATORY SET:
I will show the students a slideshow of all the different weather types they will be researching in their
projects to get them excited about the assignment.
Explain assignment:
Groups:
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Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Tsunamis
Tornadoes
Blizzards
Each group will research the following questions for their topic:
1
2
3
4
5
.
.
.
.
.
Explain your type of weather and its characteristics.
How does it form or happen?
Is there a geographic area that is more likely to experience this type of weather? If so, where
What are its effects on the environment?
What are its effects on humans?
Groups will present their research findings in a PowerPoint presentation.
Internet sources—explain that we can only use trusted, academic websites for school research
assignments. For this reason, I have located several appropriate websites for you to use:
For Volcanoes:
1.http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/volcanoes/index.htm
2.http://www.nation algeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactive/index.html?section =v
For Earthquakes:
1.http://teacher.sc holastic.com/activities/wwatch/earthquakes/
2.http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscien ce.php
For Hurricanes:
1.http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/extreme -weather/22 -extreme weather/68-hurricane
2.http://www.teacher.scholastic.com/act ivities/wwatch/hurricanes/index.ht m
For Tornadoes:
1.http://www.extremescience.com/tornado.htm
2.http://www.teacher.scholasti c.com/activities/wwatch/tornadoes/
For Tsunamis:
1.http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/gen eral/physics/physics.html
2.http://www.pbs.org/wnet /savageearth/tsunami/index.html
For blizzards
h tt p:/ /t ea cher.sch olast ic.com/ act ivit ies/wwat ch / win t er_ st orms/ in d ex.ht m and
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/blizzard2.html
GUIDED PRACTICE:
The students will be given time to use the resources to begin their research. I will help them get started
and be there to help as they encounter problems.
They will be given time to work on their research in the next few weeks, with lessons reviewing and
reinforcing these skills at the start of the class periods. Again, I will assist them as needed.
When the projects are complete, they will present them to the class and will be given a grade according
to the assessment rubric.