In this unit, students investigate and make predictions about the weather through careful observation of the clouds and wind. They also explore severe weather, such as flash floods and windstorms, investigating ways to predict and reduce the impact of these events on our communities.
In this lesson, students learn how to make predictions about the weather by observing clouds and their changes. In the activity, Storm Spotter's Guide, students create a small book to record their notes, identify different types of clouds, and think about wind direction to figure out if a storm is heading their way.
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work alone.
Figure Out Which Direction Weather is Coming From
The wind blows the clouds around. To see what clouds (and possible storms) are coming your way, you need to look into the wind.
On this world map, arrows show which way the prevailing winds blow in different parts of the world. In the continental United States, winds blow from west to east — so we look to the West to see the weather that’s coming our way. Which way does the wind blow where you live?
Label the Cardinal Directions
Once you know which direction you want to look, use a compass, a compass app on a smartphone, or Google maps to figure out the cardinal directions. Label your classroom walls North, East, South, and West. Find a landmark that will help your students remember which way to look. (Here in San Francisco, we look toward the ocean, which is to our west.)
In this lesson, students explore the phenomenon of flash floods and create an explanation of why these severe weather events are more or less likely in different regions. They specifically attempt to locate and explain a unique region in Texas known as Flash Flood Alley. In the activity, Find Flash Flood Alley, students develop a map to document how land and water interact across the state. Students then use that map to explain how different shapes and kinds of land increase or decrease the chances of rainfall causing a flash flood.
In this lesson, students explore the effects of natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and dust storms. In the activity, Design a Windproof House, students build paper house models. Then, using limited materials, students design multiple solutions that will make their houses sturdy enough to survive a wind storm, and compare the merits of their solutions.
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.
Prep Supplies for Distribution
Students first need one paper clip and two dot stickers to build their paper house model. For the second part of the activity, each pair will need a blank sheet of paper, six toothpicks, four paper clips, and two dot stickers to design a solution that prevents their house from blowing over in the wind. You may want to separate the supplies for these two parts of the activity for ease of classroom distribution.
Lesson 6: Extreme Weather & Tornado
No materials required.
Lesson 7: Extreme Weather & Hurricane
No materials required.
Lesson 8: Extreme Weather
No materials required.
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