Central idea:
Natural forces affect our world.
Lines of inquiry:
- how people detect or predict natural forces
- what causes natural forces
- impact on environment and people
- response to disasters
Exploring Weather
Natural Disasters Website for Kids
Weather Wiz Kids
Play with this Weather Maker
Disaster Preparation
Research Websites:
Earthquakes
WeatherWiz – Earthquakes
BrainPop – Earthquakes
The Science of Earthquakes
Earthquakes for Kids
Kidipede – Earthquakes
BBC – Earthquakes
Volcanoes
WeatherWiz – Volcanoes
BrainPop – Volcanoes
Facts about Volcanoes
Kidipede – Volcanoes
Fun Facts – Volcanoes
What do we know about volcanoes?
Avalanche
What is an avalanche?
BrainPop – Avalanche
Academic Kids – Avalanche
Weather Wiz – Avalanche Safety
Fast Facts – Avalanches
Natural Disasters – Avalanches
Avalanche Safety for Kids
Flood
BrainPop – Floods
Kid Cyber – Flood
Weather Wiz – Rain & Floods
Flood Facts – Survival Checklist
ESA – Flood Radar
Tsunami
These web sites are difficult to read. Tsunami experts should look at books in the classroom. You will have more success!
Earthquakes – scroll down to see Tsunamis
BrainPop – Tsunami
Tsunami Facts
National Geographic – Tsunamis
Natural Disasters – Tsunamis (old information – not up-to-date)
The Deadliest Tsunami – an article
Blizzard
These web sites will not give you broad knowledge. Let’s look for books as well.
Weather Wiz – scroll down, short paragraph on blizzards
Blizzards & Winter Weather
FactMonster – Blizzards & Hailstorms
11 Facts about Blizzards
Top 10 Blizzard Tips
Winter Safety Tips
Blizzard Survival Kit
Cyclones/Hurricanes/Typhoons
Weather Wiz – Hurricanes
BrainPop – Hurricanes
Weather Watch – Hurricanes (Click ALL the tabs!)
NASA – Hurricanes
Play with this animation of hurricanes.
FEMA – Hurricanes
You should also research some famous examples like Hurricane Katrina, which caused terrible devastation.
Hailstorm
Weather Wiz – Thunderstorms (find the section on hail)
Weather Channel – Severe Thunderstorms (hail)
What is hail?
Kids Encyclopedia – Hail
Facts on Hailstorms
Hailstorm Damage
How dangerous is a hail stone?
Drought
Weather Channel – What is a drought?
Kids Encyclopedia – Drought
Drought – a website with many tabs and LOTS to read – take your time.
Drought
Read about droughts, then click on famines
Short video on droughts
Heat Wave
Heat Wave – cause & impact – long article, ask for help with reading
Weather Wiz – Heat Wave safety
Extreme Heat
Heat Wave
Weather Channel – Impact of Heat Waves
Heat Waves in Florida, USA
Emergency Information from QLD, Australia
Facts about Heat Waves
Wildfires
Weather Wiz – Wildfires
Wildfires
Wildfires
How Wildfires Work – long article; ask for help with reading
What causes wildfires?
Wildfire Safety
BrainPop – fire (may NOT be helpful)
How to Prevent Wildfires
Tornadoes
BrainPop – tornadoes
Weather Wiz – tornadoes
Tornado Guide
Facts about tornadoes
Forecasting Tornadoes
Know Tornado Facts
Tornado Facts – click on “Signs of Approaching Tornado”
Types of Tornadoes
Tornadoes Impact Our Lives
