Tornadoes

Phase I: Relative Advantage

In this unit students will learn how tornadoes are formed and examine the impact the natural disaster has on a community. Students will learn about the different types of tornadoes and how they can prepare if such a catastrophic storm occurred.

Students will use the internet as an interactive visual tool which will engage them and reinforce the unit’s objectives. They will have access to kid-friendly videos describing tornadoes.

Phase II: Objectives and Assessments

Objective: Students will have the opportunity to learn about tornadoes on a third grade level. They will focus on how tornadoes are formed and will have a general understanding of the different types of tornadoes. Students will also learn what to do if a tornado were to strike their community.

Assessment: Throughout this unit students will:

- Activate prior knowledge.

- Determine what causes a tornado and how it is formed.

- Use the internet to watch interactive videos

which will reinforce the unit’s objectives.

- Design an online stimulation of a tornado.

- Create their own tornado in a bottle using two bottles, water, and tape.

Phase III: Integration Strategies

Instructional Method: Constructivist: Students will work together to

complete one project and an inquiry-based lesson that will enhance their understanding of tornadoes.

Students will activate prior knowledge and participate in a read-aloud entitled Tornadoes by Gail Gibbons.

The internet will be used to show the students interactive kid-friendly videos on tornadoes and real-life storms caught on tape.

Students will create their own tornado stimulation via the internet

Using two 2 liter bottles, students will create their own tornado in a bottle.

Activity #1: Read - Aloud Students will participate in a group discussion to activate

prior knowledge. (Windy days will be used to prompt conversation)

Students will be introduced to the unit by listening to Gail Gibbons’ Tornadoes. This will teach them how tornadoes are formed, why they occur, when they occur, and what to do when one strikes. A few incidents of disastrous tornadoes are also mentioned.

Students will then watch a kid-friendly video entitled Tornadoes, a KidsKnowIt Network Production. This cartoon will engage students as they begin learning.

After watching the video, students will discuss what they have learned.

• Tornado Cartoon

Activity #2: Creating a TornadoStudents will activate their knowledge with

a quick review.Students will proceed reviewing the unit’s

objectives by watching a video from National Geographic on tornadoes.

Tornadoes 101 Upon completion of the video, students will

make their own weather and create their own tornado stimulation.

Tornado Creator

Activity #3: Tornado in a BottleStudents will watch clips of disastrous

tornadoes that occurred in Nebraska.

Nebraska 2009 Nebraska

Tornado in a Bottle Continued

• Students will conclude the lesson by building their own tornado in a bottle using two clear 2 liter soda bottles, water, scissors, and duct tape.

Assessments

• Group discussions and class participation will indicate if students are understanding materials• As students are creating their tornadoes they will be asked to answer questions in regards to the form of their tornado.

Throughout the unit students will be assessed using various tools

Phase IV: Instructional Environment

Students will need the following:

Computer with internet connection

Smart board technology

Two 2-litter bottles, scissors, duct tape, and water

Supplemental books

One week to complete the unit

Phase V: Evaluate Integration Strategies

The integration strategies will be evaluated as follows:Did the students understand the material as presented?

Did the video clips enhance their learning?Were the unit’s objectives satisfied?Were the students interested in the lessons?Did the activities reinforce the unit’s objectives?

The Unit will be evaluated based upon:The student’s understanding of tornadoes.The students ability to identify the basic terminology

The students ability to understand why tornadoes are formed.

The students ability to answer the units essential questions.

Observation of group discussions.