Tornadoes

A WebQuest for 2^nd graders by Kelly Howard

Situation

Katie’s family is moving to Kansas.  She would like to learn about the weather there. Katie has heard that Kansas has quite a few tornadoes. Her mom suggested that Katie find out about tornadoes and see how her family can prepare for them. In this WebQuest, you will help Katie find information about tornadoes and learn ways that you can protect yourself when severe weather hits.

 

Mission

As you discover the answers to the following questions, record them on your worksheet.

1. Visit the follow website: Tornado Fun Facts and scroll down to find the answers to the following questions:

• What is a tornado?

 

• Where do most tornadoes come from?

 

 

• At what time of year do tornadoes occur most?

 

2. Visit the following website: Tornado Alley Katie has heard of Tornado Alley and wants to know more about it.

·        Describe what Tornado Alley is.

 

·        Is Kansas in Tornado Alley?

 

·        Is Indiana in Tornado Alley?

 

3. Katie wants to help her family prepare so that when a tornado comes they will be ready. She wonders what the difference is between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

·        Visit: What Watches, Warnings Mean  or Tornado Fun Facts and scroll down the page to answer the questions below.

• A tornado watch is:

 

 

• A tornado warning is:

 

 

 

4. Visit: Tornado preparation and safety tips: At Home  and read about the ways you can practice to be safe during severe weather.

• As tornado season approaches, what three actions should a family take?

 

• There are seven tips. You may put them in your own words.

 

 

 

 

• As you read farther down in this article, you see a list of supplies every home should have. Copy the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project

Following the preparation and safety tips you have learned about, create a plan for your family to practice and use. Create a sheet you can display in a convent place (like the refrigerator) in your home that tells your family where to go and what to do if a tornado should occur.  It should include all safety information from above plus any information that you feel would help your family specifically.

You will be assessed on: 

·        Grammar and spelling

·        Organization

·        Formatting

·        Inclusion of safety tips and supplies

 

 

 

Some information gathered from: C. Geberbauer. http://www.biopoint.com/wq2/TornadoQuest/tornadoquestfinal.html