Lesson 5

Objective:  The student will summarize the story and correspond with a key pal from Australia

Activity: a) The students will summarize the story, using the story frame from Day 3 as a graphic organizer. Students will then use a program such as StoryBook Weaver or The Student Writing Center to write and publish their stories.

                   b) The students will correspond with an Australian key pal found on the EPals Web site to investigate weather patterns in Australia. This activity should be continued for several sessions in order for students to get-to-know their EPal and collect information on weather.

                   c) The students will exchange their word search puzzles from Discovery Kids  with a partner and solve.

                   d) The students will publish and share their acrostic poems with illustrations and clip art. Students can create their illustrations using the paint or draw sections of a desk top publishing program. Publish at Kid Authors.

                    e) Read a tornado myth at Myths and Legends 

Evaluation:  Student will complete summary of story and participate in key pal correspondence. Teacher can print out key pal correspondence and place in unit portfolio.

Extension Activity: Tornado Myths

• Students will research various tornado myths
• Students will compile myths into a Tornado Myths Class Book
• Visit Tornado Project 
• Scroll down and click on Tornado Myths
• Collect myths
• 1. Highway overpasses are a safe place to shelter if you are on the road when you see a tornado coming.
• 2. Opening windows to equalize air pressure will save a roof, or even a home, from destruction by a tornado.
• 3. Tornadoes never strike big cities.
• 4. The southwest corner of a basement is the safest location during passage of a tornado.
• Give explanations of myths; add graphics or hand-drawn pictures
• Students add their own myths
• Organize myths into a class pop-up or flip book; print copy of book for each student
• Share with class
• Lean more about tornado myths at Tornado Project-Myths

Homework: Read Tornado Myth Book to parents.

                      Time allotment approx:  120 min.