Grade Level:

 4

Science
Language Arts
Technology
Music

Learner Outcomes:

 Students will:

find characteristics of tornadoes and hurricanes.
compare and contrast tornadoes and hurricanes.
select rhyming words using the correct number of syllables.
experiment with a familiar melodic melody using different words.

two 60-minute sessions

Materials:

computer
Internet
T.V.
video (Water & Weather)
paper for taking notes
pencils
Water & Weather
Turkey in the Straw

Technology Tools:

VCR
video (Water & Weather)
television
Internet
music to Turkey in the Straw

Teacher Notes:
 

Have Water & Weather video cued to the correct place before students arrive (05:46).  The part on Tornadoes
      and Hurricanes is only about 6 minutes long.
Students will need to know the tune to Turkey in the Straw in advance.  The melody moves fast so they will also need
       spend time on the new words before they actually sing the new song.

Procedures:

        1.  On the first day explain to students that they will be studying tornadoes and hurricanes and show them the video
       Water & Weather.  Remind students to take notes as they watch the video.
        2. Student will go to the computers and access the Tornado and Hurricane Songs
        3. Instruct students that they are to choose words that complete the song.
        4. The procedures for doing this activity are as follows:

The words that rhyme are color coded.
Remind students that the syllables must match the melody of the song.
Special clues have been provided.

          4. Read the songs as a class and have students to tell what words they put in the blanks.

        5. Sing the songs and model for the students how it should sound then have the class to sing the songs several times.

        6. Day two students will review the songs on the computer.  Instruct students to select the links provided in the songs to help
           them find the differences between a tornado and a hurricane.

        7. Provide students with the Compare and Contrast Worksheet to complete as they search the links.
 

Modifications:
 

Students with low reading skills can work with a peer partner for all of the activities.
The music to Turkey in the Straw may be too fast for some students so the class may sing the song without it.

Enrichment Activities:
 

Students can create a different song about tornadoes or hurricanes using a familiar tune or make up their own tune.

Evaluation/Assessment:
 

Rubric for the Tornado and Hurricane Worksheet
Check list for song activity

National Standards:
 

Music Standard and Benchmarks
Standard 3: Improvises melodies, variations, and accompaniments

Reading
Standard 5: Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process

Earth and Space Sciences
Standard 1: Understands atmospheric processes and the water cycle

Technology Standard
Standard 1: Knows the characteristics and uses of computer hardware and operating systems
 

  d

Music:  4.4, 4.10
Science:  4.2.9  .4.3.2
Language Arts:  4.11, 4.14, 4.27

References:

Making Books with Pockets by Evan-Moor Corp. (March)
How the Weather Works by Michael Allaby
Eyewitness Books:  Weather by Alfred A. Knopf
Water & Weather   by Penquin Productions
Turkey in the Straw
tornado

Authors:
Brenda Conley
Rachelle Bennett
Kim Sheet

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