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How can you get ready for a big storm?
Wild Weather Unit | Lesson 1 of 3
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How can you get ready for a big storm?

Wild Weather Unit | Lesson 1 of 3
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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Step
01/13
Meet Anton. He lives near a beach in Florida. Sometimes there are
hurricanes like this one. It rains and the wind blows hard! Giant waves
crash onto the land. But Anton isn’t worried.
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Step
02/13
To get ready for the storm, Anton checks his family’s hurricane
supply kit to make sure they have everything they need. Take a look.
Discuss:
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Step
03/13
Now it’s time to pretend. You are going to help get Anton’s house
ready for a hurricane. Stand up and make sure you have some space
to move around.
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04/13
Each window on Anton’s house has storm shutters to protect the
glass from the wind. You are going to close those shutters on every
window. First, watch how to do it. Now it’s your turn.
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Step
05/13
Sara lives in Texas, where there are tornados. A tornado is a powerful
swirling wind. Sarah gets a warning when a tornado is nearby. Listen!
That siren means a tornado is coming!
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06/13
If Sara's at home when she hears the siren, she goes down into the
basement where it’s safe. If she's not at home, she finds a protected
spot where she can hide — maybe under a desk or table. Discuss:
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07/13
We’re going to practice what to do if a tornado is nearby. When you
hear the siren, stand up, then pretend to hide under a table.
The table is pretend, but you really curl up, just like Sara.
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Step
08/13
Russell lives in Minnesota, where there are blizzards, storms with lots
and lots of snow. The weather report on Russell’s computer warns
Russell when a blizzard is on the way.
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09/13
Once the snow is falling, Russell and his family will stay inside where
it’s warm! Think about what they might need while they are waiting
for the snow to stop. Discuss:
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10/13
We thought everything in the picture could be useful in a blizzard —
except the swimsuit! It’s really important to have clothes that keep
you warm, food to eat, and water to drink.
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11/13
Sometimes in a big storm, the electricity goes out! If that happens,
Russell’s dad builds a fire to keep the house warm. He’ll need
firewood! Let’s pretend to get some! Stand up and get ready!
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12/13
It’s time to pretend. Pick up firewood and put it in your arms, like this.
One stick, two sticks, three sticks, four sticks, five sticks! Carry the
wood to the fireplace so it’s there when you need it!
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13/13
Now you’ve learned about three different kinds of storms:
hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. And now you know how to get
ready for those storms so you can stay safe. Discuss:
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# Extensions

Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration you just completed.

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# Online Resource: Weather Report for Kids!

Ask your students: What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow? Then find out the answer with “Weather Report for Kids,” a Kindergarten-friendly weather report.

First you will enter your location, since the weather depends on where you are. Local weather is pictured in a way that Kindergarteners can understand — with cartoon children, dressed for the weather today and the weather tomorrow.

Check the weather report one day -- then return the next day to find out if the weather forecast was right!

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weather


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what the air is like at a particular time and place
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rain


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water drops that fall from clouds
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snow


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solid water that falls from the sky when it's very cold outside
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wind


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moving air
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storm


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weather that usually includes strong wind and rain or snow
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lightning


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a spark that causes a flash of light during a thunderstorm
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thunder


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a rumbling sound during a storm, often after a flash of lightning
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tornado


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a storm with very strong winds in the shape of a funnel
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hurricane


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a storm with very strong winds
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blizzard


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a storm with lots of snow and strong winds
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observe


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to pay close attention to something
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Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade K

Severe Weather

Severe Weather & Preparation

K-ESS3-2

Activity Prep

Print Prep

Switch to non-narrated version

THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON JULY 1, 2021. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this Read-Along lesson, students listen to an illustrated digital storybook with student participation. If you would prefer to read it aloud yourself, you can switch to the non-narrated version. In the story, JJ and his grandfather get ready for a big thunderstorm. In the activity, Get Ready for a Storm, students learn about other kinds of storms and act out ways to prepare for storms.

Preview optional activity
Prep Instructions

This activity does not require supplies.

In the activity, students will be introduced to the idea that the weather report — on a smart phone, on a TV, or on a computer — helps people know when to get ready for a coming storm. You can help prepare your students for this aspect of the lesson by asking them — “What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow.” If you want to show them a weather report that’s appropriate for Kindergarten, we have included a link to a daily “weather report for kids” in the extensions for this lesson.

Grade K

Severe Weather

Severe Weather & Preparation

K-ESS3-2

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Credits