SEVERE WEATHER

One of 5th grade's Earth Science standards requires you to know more about severe weather. With the help of this posting on my classroom blog, you will be able to identify and describe various forms of severe weather. In addition, you will also understand the causes and effects of severe weather. Follow each step in the supplemental lesson below and be "blown away" by severe weather!!

SEVERE WEATHER LESSON

Step 1: Reading

• Read the animated summary "Severe Weather" as well as review the "Think, Talk, Write" Section #1-5 to check your understanding of severe weather.

• Check out "Web Weather for Kids: Clouds" to learn more about various cloud types in our atmosphere.

• Prepare for severe weather with "Severe Weather Safety and Survival" for basis safety tips to survive any wild weather conditions.

Step 2: Videos

• View "Severe Weather" to understand the cause and effect of severe weather.

• Watch "How a Thunderstorm Forms". Click "next" after it's over to watch an actual thunderstorm form. Click "next" again to play "Whaddaya Know? Quiz Show" for content mastery.

Step 3: Game Time

• Have fun playing the Rags to Riches game on "Earth's Weather" for more practice learning about Earth's weather, such as severe weather.

Step 4: Narrative Writing

On a sheet of paper, write a personal narrative about an experience you have had with severe weather. If you've never had a personal experience with severe weather, begin the narrative by describing the various types of severe weather that a person could experience. Here are some Web sites to guide your information:

• NOAA - Severe Weather Primer
• FEMA - The Disaster Area

Once you have described the various kinds of severe weather that can occur, continue your essay by sharing your personal experience or an experience someone can have with severe weather conditions. Here are some questions to get your thinking about your descriptions:

• What are the dangers of severe weather?
• What do people see and hear during severe weather? What do they fear?
• What are some ways to stay safe during severe weather events?

Rubric: 16 points possible - 4 pts. for introduction of topic, 4 pts, for content
with voice, 4 pts. for transitions (organization), and 4 pts. for conclusion.

Step 5: Discussion Forum

• Describe two safety precautions people can take for each of the following types of dangerous weather: thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
• What would be some of the worst things people could do in severe weather conditions?
  

*Evaluate and respond to two other blogs posted by classmates within one week.
*Whether you agree or disagree with their comments, explain why with evidence from the readings and/or videos.
* Please follow online etiquette expectations with appropriate

feedback and respect of each other's thoughts and opinions.

WEATHER PREDICTION & MAPS

One of the standards for 5th grade science is to understand weather predictions and weather maps. Using the following resources, you should be on your way to becoming an excellent Meteorologist! After you have read the articles, watched the videos, and played some interactive learning games, respond to the Discussion Board Questions.

Also, go to the "Earth Science Learning Links" for other super fun science Web sites, interactive games, and quizzes as often as you'd like to help youself improve and learn!!

Readings:

Predicting the Weather

Weather Instruments

Videos:

Weather and Climate-


Games:

Weather Maker

Weather Caves

Interactive Weather Map

Weather Map Discussion Board Forum:
Now that you have read and watched a video about Weather Predictions and Maps,
as well as played some interactive games, show me what you know by synthesizing the information.

*Evaluate and respond to two other blogs posted by classmates within one week. *Whether you agree or disagree with their comments, explain why with evidence from the readings and/or videos.
* Please follow online etiquette expectations with appropriate

feedback and respect of each other's thoughts and opinions

Discussion Forum Question:

Suppose you were a Meteorologist for your town. What data would you gather to make a prediction about the next day's weather. Why is this data important?

ATMOSPHERE WRITING ASSIGNMENT

So, do you think you know about the layers of the Earth's atmosphere? Great! Using the information you have learned about the Earth's Atmosphere, write a paragraph on a sheet of paper describing the layers of the Earth's atmosphere. In your paragraph, include the following:

• The name of each layer of the atmosphere and where it is located from the Earth's surface. (4pts)


• What you can find or what happens in each layer of the atmosphere. (8pts)


• Organized writing, complete sentences, proper grammar, and correct spelling. (8pts)

Total Points Possible: 20 points

ATMOSPHERE

One of 5th grade's Earth Science standards focuses on the Earth's Atmosphere.

Using the following resources, learn more about the layers of the atmosphere as well

as understand the greenhouse effect.

Once you have viewed the two readings and watched three entertaining short videos, submit a blog responding to the two Discussion Forum questions.

Readings:

Layers of the Atmosphere

Greenhouse Effect

Videos:

The Atmosphere

Layers of the Earth's Atmosphere

The Greenhouse Effect

The Earth's Atmosphere Discussion Forum:

Now that you have read and watched videos about the

Earth's Atmosphere, show me what you have learned

by synthesizing the information.

*Evaluate and respond to two other blogs posted by classmates within one week.
*Whether you agree or disagree with their comments, explain why with evidence from the readings and/or videos.
* Please follow online etiquette expectations with appropriate feedback and respect of each other's thoughts and opinions.:

Discussion Forum Question #1:

Could there be life on Earth without the greenhouse effect? Explain why or why not.

Discussion Forum Question #2:

Express your ideas about what might happen if Earth lost its atmosphere.

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Mrs. Christensen's Website is currently under construction! It will be designed soon and students will be able to look forward to a wonderful class resource. See you soon!