Severe Weather

Links:

In second grade we will be studying severe weather in Nebraska. It is very important that you know what to do when severe weather strikes. This unit, along with other classroom lessons and activities, will help you be prepared for severe weather in Nebraska.

Goals
Upon completion of this unit students will be able to identify types of severe weather experienced in Nebraska and how to prepare for them. Students will prepare a 1-3 minute Pubic Service Announcement on their topic to help others prepare for severe weather. The activities and quizzes in this unit will also help students prepare for multiple grade-level criterion reference-based tests (CRT).

Objectives
By the end of this unit you will understand how to dress for different types of weather, choose activities you can do in different types of weather, understand the different types of severe weather and what you can do to prepare for them and. You will also know the difference between a weather warning and a weather watch and what items you will need in a disaster kit so that you and your family can be ready for any type of severe weather. You will use all the information you learn to create a Public Service Announcement to help others be prepared for severe weather.

Content Standards
2nd grade Science
205 - Observe and measure changes in weather.
* Predict how weather affects our lives.
* Weather affects our daily lives.
-Normal weather variations
-Severe weather conditions
2nd grade Reading
205 - Read and comprehend fiction and nonfiction texts to demonstrate understanding.
* Read and comprehend non-fiction and informational text via the Internet.
208 - Apply the rules of grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling in various forms of writing.
*Create a 1-3 minutes Public Service Announcement on a type of severe weather, and how to prepare for it.
210 - Present information orally demonstrating consideration of audience and purpose.
* Deliver a 3-5 minute oral presentation using complete sentences, an audible voice, and a reasonable rate of speaking.
* Maintain eye contact, correct posture, and audience attention throughout the presentations.

Directions
Please look at the calendar for when assignments need to be completed. We will complete each section during class time only so it is important to stay on track. You will work in groups to research information on different types of severe weather and how to prepare for them. Use the links to explore information on each type of severe weather, complete activities, and take the assigned quizzes. After your group has collected the information, completed the online activities, and taken the required quizzes, you will create a 1-3 minutes Public Service Announcement on your type of severe weather to help prepare others for severe weather. A rubric will be available to tell you what must be included in your presentation.

Step-by-Step

Calendar
Please look through the calendar to know when assignments should be complete. We dont have many class periods so please remember to stay on task. It is your responsibility to stay on track, so check the calendar often to know where you should be. Presentations should be completed by December.

Blizzard Track
After downloading Worksheet #1 you will visit these websites to answer all the questions for your topic. You will be expected to visit the other weather tracks and complete Worksheet #2.

Thunderstorm Track
After downloading Worksheet #1 you will visit these websites to answer all the questions for your topic. You will be expected to visit the other weather tracks and complete Worksheet #2.

Tornado Track
After downloading Worksheet #1 you will visit these websites to answer all the questions for your topic. You will be expected to visit the other weather tracks and complete Worksheet #2.

Worksheet #1
Open the Severe Weather PowerPoint. This will be your graphic organizer to help you keep track of your research. Print this out in the notes format so you can write your information next to the questions. These questions will help you prepare and create your Public Service Announcement.

Worksheet #2
Print out this worksheet and then visit the other severe weather tracks. Answer the questions on the sheet so that you will know how to be prepared in other types of severe weather.

Severe Weather Quia Quiz This quiz will help you know all about severe weather in Nebraska. Click the link to take the quiz. GOOD LUCK!

Know Your Weather Quia Activity Click the link to play a short game about severe weather. Make sure your thinking cap is on!

ALTEC Checklist
Look at this checklist to see what I will be looking for you to do during your Public Service Announcement. Please keep these items in mind as you create your presentations because your presentations will be broadcasted throughout the school. ☺

Severe Weather Hotlist
Visit these links on the hotlist for a review of severe weather. Did you learn anything new?

Rubric
Print out one rubric for each group. This rubric will guide you as you create your presentation. It will also tell you what you will be graded on. I will help all the groups when recording their Public Service Announcement.