Second Grade Science

Weather
By: Kaitlyn Metheny & Emily Harper

Virginia Standard
Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
The student will investigate and understand basic types, changes, and patterns
of weather. Key concepts include
a) identification of common storms and other weather phenomena;
b) the uses and importance of measuring, recording, and interpreting weather
data; and
c) the uses and importance of tracking weather data over time.

Questions

How can you identify a thunderstorm?

Explain in your own words what a tornado is.
How can you identify a hurricane?
Why do some storms produce snow, while others produce rain?
What do storms need to become storms?

Essential Knowledge
Terms to Know
Tornado- a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing
beneath a large storm system.
Monsoons- a seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and
September and bringing rain (the wet monsoon ), or from the northeast between October and April (the dry monsoon ).

El Nino-an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every
few years, characterized by the appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off northern Peru and Ecuador, typically in late
December.

Hurricane- a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
National Weather Service- organization that provides weather information by tracking storms
Lightening-the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the
ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.

Tornado Alley- an area of the Great Plains centered on eastern Kansas and Oklahoma and including parts of the surrounding
states, where tornadoes are frequent.

Dust Devil- a small whirlwind or air vortex over land, visible as a column of dust and debris

Essential Knowledge Continued

Background Knowledge
A STORM is an extreme weather condition often with very strong wind, heavy rain or snow, and
thunder and lightning. Storms include hurricanes, blizzards, tornados, northeasters, and severe
thunderstorms.
A THUNDERSTORM contains lightning and thunder and can produce hail and/or tornados. Heat
from lightning causes a rapid expansion of air resulting in thunder. Thunderstorms can occur
throughout the year but are most likely to happen in spring and summer. It is estimated that
there are approximately 1,800 thunderstorms occurring each day.
A TORNADO is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The
most violent tornadoes are capable of wind speeds up to 300 mph. They can destroy large
buildings, uproot trees, and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards.
A HURRICANE is a huge storm with winds rotating in a counterclockwise direction (in the northern
hemisphere) around the center of the storm. The eye of a storm (center) has light winds and
fair weather. Hurricanes can be up to 600 miles across and have winds spiraling inward and
upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Hurricanes can last for over a week and can move 10-20
mph over the open ocean. They gain energy from warm ocean waters. When they come over
land, the heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge and large waves can cause massive damage.

Text Set for Read Aloud

Cassino, M., & Nelson, J. (2009). The story of snow: The science of winter's
wonder. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
This book explains how snow forms and describes the different shapes of the
crystals. It is a good book for the teacher to read to the class and have discussion.
It is on grade level for individual exploration as well. Non-Fiction
Simon, S. (2003). Hurricanes. New York: HarperCollins.
This book is another great book to read aloud and start discussion. It talks
about
the different types of storms. Hurricane forecasts and satellite photos are shown and
described. It shows and describes the effects of these storms and where they fall on the
hurricane scale. The graphics are exceptional for hurricane imagery. It also gives step by
step directions on what to do when the storm passes. Informational Non-Fiction Text.

Text Set for Guided Reading

Simon, S. (2002). Super Storms. New York: SeaStar Books.
This book explains what thunderstorms, tornadoes,
hurricanes, and hailstorms are and provides characteristics
of them. This book is on grade level and can be used for
guided reading and independent reading. The photos are
actual photos of storms and show impacts of these storms.
Non-Fiction

Text Sets for Independent Reading

Cosgrove, B., & Shone, K. (1991). Weather. New York: Knopf.
This book is a great book for above grade level independent
reading with teacher support. This book provides a lot of in depth
insight to many weather related aspects. It shows many weather
detecting instruments that would be useful for all types of weather.
Informational Non-Fiction Text

Flanagan, A. (2003). Thunder and lightning. Chanhassen, MN:

Child's World.
This book is a below grade level independent read. The
words are very simple and provide easy definitions for storm
related topics. It discusses how lightning occurs and why
thunder
is present with lightning. It also gives advice on what you not do
in a storm. Non-Fiction

Text Set for Independent Reading

Penner, L., & Nitta, K. (1996). Twisters! New York: Random House.
This story is a perfect book for independent exploration on grade
level. It talks about Hurricanes and Tornados of the past. It also talks
about how Tornadoes and Hurricanes are created and what you
should do during each. Non-Fiction
Maslin, M. (2000). Storms. Austin, Tex.: Raintree Steck-Vaughn.
s This book is an above grade level independent reading book. It
goes in depth about what causes storms and has a lot of
interesting interesting pictures. It provides a lot of information on key terms.
Informational Non-Fiction Text

Text Set for Independent Reading

Rupp, R. (2003). Weather! North Adams, Mass.: Storey Kids.
This book is a great book for independent reading and exploration
with teacher support. It provides a lot of in depth information about
different types of storms and ways in which one can make
such storms at home. This could provide the teacher with
activity ideas for her lesson plans! Informational Non-Fiction Text