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Severe Weather |
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Science |
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TEKS 4.6 - The student knows that change can create recognizable patterns. |
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Materials needed: Computers with internet access, printer, and paper. |
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Have you ever been interrupted from your favorite television show by the local meteorologist warning the community of severe weather? One form of severe weather comes in the form of tornadoes.
Tornado, twister, cyclone, whirlwind...many names for the natural disaster that can bring winds of over 230 mph. That is faster than a NASCAR racecar, 3 TIMES faster than the legal speed limit!!! West Texas spring winds average about 25 mph. Can you imagine winds up to 230 mph?!
A twister’s winds can destroy everything in its path depending on the cyclone’s strength. Each spring, a path of killer tornadoes ranges from the Lone Star state up through Indiana. This path is known as Tornado Alley. Do you know that there are different types of tornadoes? How safe is your house or school if a tornado was in your area? Have you ever met a storm chaser? You will find the answer to these questions through this Webquest and relay your information in an “All You Ever Wanted to Know About: Tornadoes” brochure. |
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Your mission will be to collect data on the formation, measurement, and occurrences of tornadoes. Also, you will look at the history of tornado activity in Tornado Alley. Compare the occurrences and severity of tornadoes in the states in Tornado Alley. You will try and make any predictions about tornadoes that you can from the data collected. Also you will investigate safety procedures to take during a tornado watch or warning. Investigation of safety for schools and families will be found. Answers to what a storm chaser does and how society benefits from them. All data collected will be combined into your brochure for the school and local community for them to gain information on tornadoes. |
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What you will be reading and doing are from REAL people all over the world who care about tornadoes. You are going to be doing “real work” that is challenging to even adults. Some of the reading might be difficult, but I know you can do it. You should use the online dictionary or one in the classroom for any questions.
1. Your group will be divided into four tornado specialist positions, each with his/her own area of concentration. Every member of the group will play a role in the WebQuest, but the specialist will have the final responsibility for their own area of work.
2. Tornado Specialists should each review your own file for specific tasks and requirements. |
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Resources are listed under each specialist file. Here is some more helpful information that can be used by all specialists. |
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You will receive a team grade for this project based on your brochure and ability to work together as a GROUP. Go to the Evaluation Site for Rubrics that will explain the evaluation for your work. Each of you will need to print out the next Rubric and evaluate your personal involvement in the group. |
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Congratulations! In this WebQuest you have obtained a huge amount of information about tornadoes. You have created a brochure that has valuable information for other students and the community to learn about. You have utilized information from tornado experts and now have become a little bit of an expert yourself! |
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Introduction: |
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The Task: |
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Process: |
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Resources: |
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Evaluation: |
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Conclusion: |
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Overview: |
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Why Files - Interactive Tornado |
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Website has general information in all specialist areas. |
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Chase Day - pictures of different tornadoes |
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Fema for Kids - has a film of a tornado, general facts in kid-friendly terms. Has pictures and stories about tornadoes written by kids. |
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Disaster Relief - are you ready? |
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Scholastic - general information and answers to questions about tornadoes |
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3. Each specialist will then combine their information in the brochure. The brochure should list data from each of the four specialists. Together connect the information into a brochure than can be handed out to other students in the school and even to the community! Who knows you could help save someone’s life from the disaster of a tornado.
Click here for a template on how do a brochure. |
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Portfolio Site |