Tornadoes
Lesson Plan
GRADE LEVEL: 2-5
TIME:
1 hour




brief introduction to tornadoes, associated vocabulary and process of formation
Tornado Construction Activity – tornadoes are constructed and observations are made
Fujita Activity – worksheet on size and strength of tornadoes
Assessment
KEY VOCABULARY:
Tornadoes
Tornado Alley
Fujita Scale
Super cell
Mesocyclone
Vortex
MATERIALS:
2 liter bottles
Duct tape
Glitter
NATIONAL STANDARDS:
 Learn, understand, and determine the reasons tornadoes form
 determine the size and strength of tornadoes based on Fujita scale
INSTRUCTIONAL PREPARATION:
 Create informational power point with key learning concepts about tornadoes
 Collect 2-liter bottles for construction activity bottle tornadoes
 Purchase duct tape for construction activity and glitter to put in the bottles for observation of
circulation
TEACHING PROCEDURE:
1. Present the students with the power point over tornadoes
2. Make sure they understand how tornados are formed – Socratic engagement
3. Explain the Fujita scale and ask students to classify tornadoes based on Fujita information
4. Introduce Activity 1: Tornado Construction –
a. Demonstrate the construction of the tornado demonstration
*Take two 2-liter bottles and fill them about ¾ full
*Put glitter in the bottle to represent debris
*Take the other empty bottle and put the two necks of the bottles together and
tape, tape, tape!
*Swirl the bottle and you have a tornado!
b. Have students form groups of two to make tornadoes in a bottle
c. Teams of students create their tornado demonstration models
d. Students make observations and record their observations on the worksheet
provided.
e. Student should write a reflection paragraph about their observations
Tracy Sprowl, David Copeland, Candice Higginbottom, Mary Karsten
Introduction to Physical Science, EMPACTS Project, Spring 2013
edited by C. Dianne Phillips, Instructor
Tornadoes
Lesson Plan
5. Introduce Activity 2: Fujita Scale and the Strength of Tornadoes
In teams of two have students look at a chart of tornado information and select a
matching Fujita Scale number appropriate for the size and strength of the tornado in the
chart.
ASSESSMENT:
1) Worksheet 1:
a. Ask students to tell how tornados are formed
b. Ask students to match tornadoes to cloud types
2) Worksheet 2:
a. Ask students how tornados are measured
b. Ask students to explain how the fujita scale is used.
Tracy Sprowl, David Copeland, Candice Higginbottom, Mary Karsten
Introduction to Physical Science, EMPACTS Project, Spring 2013
edited by C. Dianne Phillips, Instructor