LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Tornadoes
3–5
Tornadoes will descend from the clouds whenever weather conditions
are right. Nothing we can do will turn a tornado in a different direction,
make it a single minute shorter or lessen its power. Students and families need to know how to prepare for a tornado and how respond if one
should strike.
Tornado Safety
Key Terms and Concepts
cloud of debris
community awareness
fact
funnel cloud
hailstorm
myth
National Weather
Service
safe place
tornado WARNING
tornado WATCH
wall cloud
Purposes
To enable students and their families to recognize the weather
clues that warn of a tornado
To acquaint students with what they should do during a tornado
WATCH or a tornado WARNING
Objectives
The students will—
• Use Tornado Weather Clues to investigate clues that could indicate
the approach of a tornado.
• Create descriptive poetry about weather clues.
• Participate in a class presentation of students’ tornado poems.
• Read three tall tales featuring tornadoes and analyze them for true
and false information on tornado science and safety; devise a plan
to use the fictional tornado stories to present information to young
children about tornadoes. (Home Connection)
• Design a visual representation of a weather clue. (Linking Across
the Curriculum)
• Investigate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Web site FEMA for Kids on tornadoes and critique the information and activities for interest, information and appropriateness.
(Linking Across the Curriculum)
• Discuss appropriate actions to take if there is a tornado WATCH
or a tornado WARNING.
• Use Tornado WATCH Versus WARNING to assess previous understanding of proper action in weather that could signal a tornado.
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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• Participate in a class selection of four to five activities from
Community Safety Heroes to increase school or community awareness.
• Invite parents to help set up tornado safety awareness activities.
(Home Connection)
• Create and implement a survey on community awareness; graph and
chart data. (Linking Across the Curriculum)
• Research local tornado history; conduct interviews and write articles.
(Linking Across the Curriculum)
Tornadoes
3–5
LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes:
Staying Safe
Activities
“Tornado Weather Clues”
“Tornado Awareness”
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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“Tornado Weather Clues”
SET UP 15 minutes CONDUCT 40 minutes
Language Arts: Reading and Writing; Science: Earth Science
Tornadoes
3–5
LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes:
Staying Safe
Materials
Tornado Weather Clues, 1 copy
per student
1. Have the students consider the following statement: If tornadoes usually
grow within thunderstorms, does that mean that whenever we see thunderclouds we can expect a tornado? Why or why not? What weather
clues do we look for?
2. Distribute Tornado Weather Clues and discuss each clue. Show the
students examples of some of the tornado signs.
3.
Divide the class into pairs. Assign one tornado clue to each
pair and direct them to follow the steps on the activity sheet
to create descriptive poetry about weather clues that could
indicate a tornado will strike. Suggest ways to vary their
compositions using a different part of speech—nouns, adjectives, verbs
and adverbs.
Wrap-Up
Have the students turn their poetry into a class presentation in
which each student pair performs its poem as part of the
dramatic reading. The students could use sound effects and select music to
add to the drama.
Home Connection
Share three fictional stories about tornadoes with your students.
(See Suggested Resources below.) You could read the stories
aloud or assign them to small reading groups. Ask students to find as many
true facts about tornadoes and tornado safety as they can in each book, and
then ask them to find exaggerated or false information in the books.
When all the books have been read and analyzed, discuss each one to determine a good way to use the book as a springboard for raising tornado
safety awareness among younger students. Challenge groups to develop
plans for teaching tornado safety to younger siblings or neighbors using
one or more of the stories they read. At home, they can ask their parents to
help them put their plans into effect.
Suggested Resources
• Tornado by Betsy Byars, illustrated by Doron Ben-Ami
(HarperTrophy, 2004)
Reading Level: ages 4–8
• Pecos Bill Rides a Tornado by Wyatt Blassingame, illustrated by Ted
Schroeder (Garrard Publishing Co., 1973)
Reading Level: ages 4–8
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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• Twister Twyla: The Kansas Cowgirl by Jerri Garretson, illustrated by
Diane A. Dollar (Ravenstone Press, 2003)
Reading Level: ages 4–8
Linking Across the Curriculum
Fine Arts: Visual Arts
Tornadoes
3–5
LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes:
Staying Safe
Give art materials to each pair—poster board, construction paper,
scissors, glue, markers, paints, cotton balls, colored tissue paper and the
like. Challenge them to use these materials creatively to design a visual
representation of their weather clue, including their poems within their
artwork.
Language Arts: Reading; Science: Technology
Have students investigate FEMA’s Web site FEMA for Kids on
tornadoes at http://www.fema.gov/kids/trnsfe.htm. Challenge
students to visit all or most of its pages on tornadoes. Afterward,
ask them to describe to the class the information they found and
critique its presentation and interest level to others of their age.
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at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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“Tornado Awareness”
SET UP 25 minutes CONDUCT three 40-minute classes
Language Arts: Reading and Writing; Social Studies: Civics
1.
Tornadoes
3–5
LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes:
Staying Safe
Materials
• Tornado
WATCH
Versus
WARNING, 1 copy per
student
• Myths
and Facts About
Tornadoes (copies for team
assigned to the Game Show
activity in Step 4 below if it is
chosen)
Explain to the students that—
• A tornado WATCH is issued when there is a possibility
that thunderstorms could produce a tornado.
• A tornado WARNING is issued when a tornado has been
spotted in the area.
Have the students decide when a “wolf watch” and a “wolf warning”
could have been issued to the three little pigs.
2. Lead a class discussion of the safety decisions and actions the students
can take if they hear there is a tornado WATCH or WARNING in effect
for the area. Write their suggestions on the board.
3. Distribute Tornado WATCH Versus WARNING and have the students use
it to add to or correct the class list. Based on the changes that had to be
made, how safe would the students have been before getting the facts?
How much safer can they feel now? Reassure them that knowing what
to do during a tornado WATCH and WARNING can save lives.
TEACHING NOTE The most important point you can make with your students is
that, in case of a tornado, people must first go immediately to a safe place, and then
protect themselves by dropping to the floor or ground and protecting their heads
and necks with their arms.
• Community Safety Heroes, 1
copy per student
• Art supplies
4. Distribute Community Safety Heroes and guide a discussion to choose
four or five activities from the activity sheet the students would like to
implement in the community. Divide the students into teams and assign
one of the chosen activities to each team. Give them time and support as
they prepare their activities.
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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TEACHING NOTE If Game Show is one of the activities chosen, make available
copies of Myths and Facts About Tornadoes for the assigned team.
Wrap-Up
Tornadoes
3–5
LESSON PLAN 3
Tornadoes:
Staying Safe
Have the students critique the success of their work.
Were the activities effective? Do they believe their
community is safer now? What more can they do?
Home Connection
Invite students’ families to visit the class to help the students
prepare promotional material, to set up tornado awareness activities and to oversee students as they present their activities to the community.
Linking Across the Curriculum
Social Studies: Civics; Mathematics: Charts and Graphs
Have the students create and implement a survey to assess the
safety awareness of the community: What does the populace know? What
types of shelter are available? What kind of warning system and response
teams are available? As a class, analyze the information and display the
data in illustrative graphs and charts.
Social Studies: History; Language Arts: Research and Writing
Have the students use the Internet and local resources to find
information on tornadoes that have struck within and around the
community. When and where did they hit? How prepared was the
community? What changes occurred within the community after
the tornadoes? The students will conduct interviews and write newspaper
reports for school and local newspapers.
Visit the American Red Cross Web site
at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
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Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
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Tornado Weather Clues
Page 1 of 2
Name ________________________________________________________________________
A good scientist observes change. To know when a tornado is
possible, look for—
• Dark, often greenish sky. Sometimes one or more of the clouds
turns greenish (a phenomenon caused by hail) indicating that a tornado
may develop.
• Wall cloud, an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm. The
wall cloud is particularly suspect if it is rotating.
• Large hail. Tornadoes are spawned from powerful thunderstorms
and the most powerful thunderstorms produce large hail. Tornadoes
frequently emerge from near the hail-producing portion of the storm.
• Cloud of debris. An approaching cloud of debris can mark the
location of a tornado even if a funnel cloud is not visible.
• Funnel cloud. A visible rotating extension of the cloud base is a
sign that a tornado may develop. (A funnel cloud starts in the sky;
once it touches down it becomes a tornado.)
• Roaring noise. The high winds of a tornado can cause a roar that
is often compared to the sound of a freight train, a million angry
bees, or a thousand jet engines.
• Tornadoes may occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm
and be quite visible. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies
behind a tornado. Tornadoes may also be embedded in rain and not
visible at all.
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at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
TORNADO WEATHER CLUES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Tornado Weather Clues
Page 2 of 2
Directions: Follow the directions below to turn one of
the warning signs on page 1 into a descriptive poem.
1. Make a list of words and phrases that describe your
tornado weather clue—how it looks, how it might
make you feel, how it sounds or what it does to the
world around you.
2. Use the following pattern to turn these terms into a
tornado-shaped poem:
1st line: four words or phrases that describe how it
looks or sounds.
2nd line: three words or phrases that describe how it makes you feel.
3rd line: two words or phrases that describe how the atmosphere
changes.
4th line: one word or phrase that names your weather clue.
4 words
3 words
2 words
1 word
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TORNADO WEATHER CLUES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Tornado WATCH Versus
WARNING
Page 1 of 2
Name ________________________________________________________________________
What to Do During a Tornado WATCH
If a tornado WATCH is issued for your area, it means that a tornado is possible.
• Listen to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or
a local radio or television station for updated information. Tornadoes can change
direction, intensity and speed very quickly.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Tornadoes
accompany severe thunderstorms, and weather
conditions can change rapidly. Large hail, blowing
debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may
alert you. Many people say an approaching tornado
sounds like a freight train.
• Make sure your family disaster supplies kit is ready.
What to Do During a Tornado WARNING
If a tornado WARNING is issued, it means that a tornado has actually been spotted, or is
strongly indicated on radar, and it is time to go to a safe place immediately. Remember,
there is often no time to issue a tornado WARNING. If the signs are there and a WATCH is
in effect, move to safety.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or a local radio or television station for updated information. (NOAA Weather Radio, which is broadcast on seven VHF frequencies ranging
from 162.400 MHz to 162.550 MHz, can be heard on handheld radio receivers that just
pick up Weather Radio or desktop or console models that receive Weather Radio in
addition to other broadcasts. These can be purchased at many retail outlets, including
electronics, department, sporting goods and boat and marine accessory stores and
their catalogs. They can also be purchased via the Internet from online retailers or
directly from manufacturers.)
• If you are inside, go to your safe place to protect yourself from glass and other flying
objects. The safest place to take shelter during a tornado is in a basement. If your
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TORNADO WATCH VERSUS WARNING
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Tornado WATCH versus
WARNING
Page 2 of 2
home does not have a basement, go to the lowest floor and take shelter in a
hallway, closet or small room toward the inside of the building, away from
windows.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a workbench or heavy table,
and hold on to it. Sturdy furniture will help protect you from falling debris. If
a tornado wind enters the room and the object moves, holding on with one
hand will help you move with it, keeping you protected. Use your other arm
and hand to protect your head and neck from falling or flying objects.
• Stay away from windows. Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter
the structure. Leave the windows alone.
• If you are outside in a car or in a mobile home or transportable classroom, go
immediately to the basement of a nearby sturdy building. Tornado winds can
blow large objects, including cars and mobile homes, hundreds of feet.
• If there is no nearby building, lie flat in a low spot. Use your arms and hands
to protect your head. Do not go under highway bridges and overpasses
because dangerous flying debris can be blown under them, or weakened
overpasses and bridges can be destroyed. Tornadoes come from severe thunderstorms, which can produce a lot of rain. If you see quickly rising water or
floodwater coming toward you, move to another spot.
• Avoid places with wide-span
roofs, such as auditoriums,
cafeterias, gymnasiums, large
hallways, or shopping malls.
Wide-span roofs are frequently
damaged or destroyed in
tornado winds. Wide-span
roofs provide less protection
than roofs over smaller rooms
and increase the risk of injury.
Visit the American Red Cross Web site
at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
TORNADO WATCH VERSUS WARNING
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Myths and Facts About
Tornadoes
Page 1 of 2
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Myth
Tornadoes can happen only in
“Tornado Alley.”
Fact
Tornadoes can happen in
every state.
Myth
You should open the windows
if a tornado is coming so the
building will not explode.
Fact
Research has shown that
buildings do not explode from the low air
pressure of a tornado. Opening windows can
increase the chance of high winds
entering and causing more damage to
your home and exposing you to injury.
Leave the windows alone.
Myth
You should try to “outdrive” a tornado.
Fact
It is not safe to try to outdrive a tornado because tornadoes shift
direction so quickly. A tornado can pick up cars and toss them about
like toys. If you are in a car during a tornado, you should get out and
find a safe place.
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at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT TORNADOES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Myths and Facts About
Tornadoes
Page 2 of 2
Myth
Highway overpasses are a safe place to hide during a tornado.
Fact
People who take shelter under a highway overpass can be killed
because the overpass acts like a wind tunnel and brings stronger
winds and a lot of debris.
Myth
Tornadoes happen only in the springtime.
Fact
Most tornadoes do happen from March through August; however,
they can occur in any month.
Myth
Tornadoes never strike big cities.
Fact
Tornadoes do strike big cities. For example, St. Louis has had 22
tornadoes in the past 40 years; Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City
have been struck by tornadoes.
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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT TORNADOES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Community Safety Heroes
Page 1 of 2
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Work with your class to choose activities from those listed below that your
class will use in a safety presentation on tornadoes to your school or other organization
in the community. Your teacher will assign one of the chosen activities to your team to
prepare.
Safety Information
Translate the information in Tornado WATCH Versus WARNING into illustrated posters
that can be placed in offices and businesses around the community or used for tornado
preparations at home.
Tornado Drill
Set up a safety drill to help people understand where to go. Provide several scenarios—
at home, in a mobile home, at school, a restaurant, the airport or other places the
students and their families often go.
Map Displays
Set up large, color-coded wall maps to point out county boundaries and directions.
Remember, the National Weather Service issues tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS by
county or parish. For example, “A tornado WARNING is in effect for the northwest
corner of Cobb County.”
Activity Books for Younger Students
Create activity books for younger students with word finds, safety mazes, crossword
puzzles, a rebus and other word games.
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COMMUNITY SAFETY HEROES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross
Community Safety Heroes
Page 2 of 2
Game Show
Set up a game show based on Myths and Facts About Tornadoes and other reliable
information about tornadoes.
Storytelling
Invite people who have lived through a tornado to share their stories and explain how
safety preparedness can help save lives. Compile these stories into a short skit or
anthology.
Book Fair
Collect appropriate children’s books
and safety information and make it
available in a reading corner for
younger students. Invite younger
students to visit the reading corner
at certain times so they can read
individually or be read to.
Community Roundtable
Invite community leaders to participate in a question-and-answer
session to explain community preparations and rescue operations after a storm. Invite
an American Red Cross representative to discuss tornado safety.
Visit the American Red Cross Web site
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COMMUNITY SAFETY HEROES
Masters of Disaster® Tornadoes, Tornado Safety, Lesson Plan 3/Tornadoes: Staying Safe
Copyright 2007 The American National Red Cross