Information for Teachers
Curriculum links
This investigation is linked to the following Grade 4 Next Generation Science Standards.
ESS3.B: Natural Hazards
A variety of hazards result from natural processes (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions). Humans cannot eliminate the hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts. (4-ESS3-2)
How to search the internet
1 Keep your request short
Fewer words will give a more accurate search.
2 Choose exactly what you want
For example: Arctic Circle Climate
3 Use quotes
Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”
4 Use the plus sign (+)
If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal
5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want
Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search, –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.
6 Be very clear about what you don’t want
Part 1
Ask questions and define problems
After reading Wild, Wild Weather, you may have many questions about the different kinds of dangerous weather conditions, why they are dangerous, and what to do if you are experiencing wild weather.
List your questions
- Compare your list with questions that others have.
- Choose a question you would like to investigate.
- You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.
You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate
Q1. Which places in the world have the wildest weather?
Q2. Where are you most likely to experience a sandstorm or freezing rain?
Q3. Do all places experience the same wild weather?
Q4. Choose one particular kind of wild weather, e.g. tornadoes. Where are tornadoes likely to happen around the world? Why do they occur? How do people protect themselves from tornadoes?
Go to Part 2 Investigate →Part 2
Investigate
Helpful websites
You may want to use websites to help you’re your investigations.
You can visit the combined NASA and NOAA site to learn about many different aspects of weather.
You can learn how to read a weather map to see where any wild weather is forecast.
Predicting what weather is like is very important when wild weather is coming. You can find out how accurate this is.
Helpful search words include:
Weather+map
Go to Part 3 Record data →Part 3
Record data
Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.
Data Chart for wild weather
Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →
Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data
1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.
Where does the wild weather occur?
What time of year does it occur there?
What is the impact of the wild weather on people and on places?
2. Search for other patterns.
3. Makes notes about what you find.
Go to Part 5 Present and share →Part 5
Present and share
Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.
What are the most important ideas about your topic?
Make a chart showing the most important ideas.
Download Chart
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