• Tools:
• Save |
• Print |
• E-mail |
• Most Popular |

Learning Activity: Understanding Tornadoes

Adjust font size:

(CNN Student News) -- Your students will learn about tornadoes and how geography and climate each play a role in the formation of twisters.

Procedure

Divide the class into small groups. Next, refer students to their texts and online resources to learn about tornadoes and how geography and climate each play a role in their formation. Pose the following questions to guide students' research:

1. What is a tornado?
2. Where is "Tornado Alley"?
3. What geographic and climactic conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes?
4. How are tornadoes measured, and what factors contribute to the varying levels of intensity among tornadoes?
5. What terms should one know to understand tornadoes?
6. Where is the best place to go in the event of an approaching tornado?
7. What personal and societal challenges do tornadoes present?

Have each group present a formal report of its findings, using charts, maps and other visual aids. Then, in class discussion, have students consider whether their area is prone to tornadoes and explain why this is so.

Correlated Standards

National Science Standards

Grades 5-8

Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

As a result of activities in grades 5-8 all students should develop an understanding of:

The National Science Education Standards (http://www.nap.edu/books/0309053269/html/index.html) are published by the National Academies Press (http://www.nas.edu/).

Keywords

tornadoes, Tornado Alley, geography, climate, natural disaster

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• The new jihadi code
• Brown under fire on Afghan policy, 'gaffes'
• Suspect wanted an out for Muslims
• Virginia prepares to execute D.C. sniper
• IEA denies whistleblower's oil claims

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)