The Process
Step 1. First, you'll be assigned to a team of 4 students.
Step 2. When you research your expert field use the following web sites. Remember you are responsible for informing your team members about your important expert field information. As you visit each web site, answer the questions that are specific to your expert field by taking notes. These notes will be written down on the following worksheet.
FEMA for Kids: Tornadoes.
http://www.fema.gov/kids/tornado.htm
Web Weather for Kids
How Do Tornadoes Impact Our Lives?
http://www.ucar.edu/educ_outreach/webweather/tornado.html
How Are Tornadoes Formed?
http://www.ucar.edu/educ_outreach/webweather/tornado2.html
Kidstorm: Tornadoes
http://skydiary.com/kids/tornadoes.html
Step 3. You will be assigned an expert role by your teacher. Each person is responsible for researching different aspects of tornadoes. Below are descriptions of each of the expert roles.
- Tornado Expert
You will be responsible for describing how a tornado is formed. Use the following questions to guide your research.
What is a tornado?
What type of clouds can be seen before a tornado forms?
What are the characteristics of a tornado? Think of how each tornado is different from one another.
- Disaster Effects Expert
You will be responsible for comparing the effects of different tornadoes in specific areas.
Why are tornadoes so dangerous?
What is the Fugita scale?
How does the size and strength of a tornado relate to the amount of destruction it causes?
- Safety Expert
You will be responsible for providing a plan that will inform others of how to remain safe during a tornado.
Where is the best place to be if you are in your house?
Where is the best place to be if you are in your car?
Where is the best place to be if you are in your school?
What do you do if you are outside?
- Warning Expert
You will be responsible for finding a way to warn others that a tornado is coming.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
What are examples of public broadcast systems that provide information on tornadoes?
What is tornado alley?
Step 4. Each expert should organize their notes using a concept map. This map will be handed into the teacher upon completion of the project. Once the map is completed, share your findings with your fellow experts.
Step 5. It is now time for your group to create a brochure illustrating important facts about tornadoes. Each expert should include information that would be useful to inform the public. The brochure should include the following:
- description of a tornado
- how it is formed
- how it is measured
- some of the disaster effects
- ways to keep safe
- warning signs
- where to locate information
Don't forget to make the brochure creative and interesting!
Step 6. Finally, your group will present important information about tornadoes to the second grade classrooms. You will use your brochure as a visual aid to help these students better understand the effects of weather. It may be helpful to refer back to your concept map in order to prepare yourself for the presentation. Each expert is expected to speak about the information that you found during your research. Good Luck!!
