DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For Weather and Climate Extreme Weather and Climate Hurricanes
Hurricanes – The Big Ideas A hurricane is a tropical storm with steady winds moving at more than 120 kilometers per hour. Atlantic hurricanes begin as tropical depressions, or low- pressure areas near the coast of Africa. Some tropical storms grow large and strong enough to become hurricanes. Hurricane damage comes from strong winds and storm surges, or rapidly rising water. Hurricanes can measure hundreds of miles wide and grow very powerful and damaging. Typhoon is the name for a hurricane that forms in the Pacific or Indian Oceans.
Hurricanes- Prior Knowledge Depending on where they live, students may or may not have experienced a hurricane. Students have probably seen images and video of damage done by hurricanes, and may be familiar with Hurricane Katrina and other recent large hurricanes that have occured in the United States. It would be helpful if students viewed the FUNdamental: Under the Weather to gain background knowledge on severe storms. It would also help if students have: FUNdamental: Under the Weather Seen video or images of hurricanes or their damage. Background knowledge about the severity levels of hurricanes.
Hurricanes – Common Misconceptions The larger the hurricane, the more intense it will be. –Reality: There is very little association between hurricane intensity (either measured by maximum sustained winds or by central pressure) and size (measured by radius of tropical storm force winds. Hurricanes and tropical storms strike only during the official hurricane season of June 1 through November 30. –Reality: Hurricanes and tropical storms sometimes occur before or after the hurricane season. For example Tropical Storm Anna and Hurricane Lili occurred in April 2003 and late December 1984, respectively. Only coastal areas are at risk from hurricanes. –Reality: A hurricane is not just a coastal event. The strong winds, heavy rains, tornadoes and inland flooding from weakening tropical systems can spread well inland and cause tremendous damage.
Hurricanes – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Hurricanes. Exploration: Hurricanes Video: Hurricanes E Book: Grouping and Naming Hurricanes Reading Passage: A Dangerous Storm: Hurricane Katrina Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.
Hurricanes- Instructional Ideas Using the Exploration, students can see on a map where hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are located and select the right conditions to make a severe storm. –Students will see what conditions must be necessary for a hurricane and can watch animation of a hurricane causing damage. –After students finish the Exploration, they should be able to explain the different effects a hurricane has on the environment.
Hurricanes- Instructional Ideas After students read the E Book called Grouping and Naming Hurricanes, they can make a flip book showing the five levels of hurricane severity. –On the cover of the flip book, students can write the level of severity and on the inside they can draw a picture showing what kind of damage might occur at that level. Students should work in partners to read the passage A Dangerous Storm: Hurricane Katrina. –After reading, students can research more about this storm by looking for a news article. The students can read the article, and present any new information to their classmates.
State standards: If you wish to review your state standards regarding Hurricanes, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.