Lesson on tornadoes - disasters

1. Tornadoes

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

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

7. Students will create their own tornado stimulation via the internet

9. Activity #2: Creating a Tornado Students 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

10. Activity #3: Tornado in a Bottle Students will watch clips of disastrous tornadoes that occurred in Nebraska. Nebraska 2009Nebraska

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.