TEKS & Objectives
8.1 Earth and space. The student knows that climatic interactions exist among Earth, ocean, and weather systems
8.10.C. identify the role of the oceans in the formation of weather systems such as hurricanes.
7.8.A predict and describe how catastrophic events such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes impact ecosystems
We will examine the destructive force of natural disasters.
I will identify human responses to extreme weather.
1. Watch videos.
- Hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30.
- We are just getting out of hurricane season now.
- The highest threat for the Texas coast is from August through September.
- Because hurricanes begin in the ocean, the best place to be when a hurricane comes is inland.
- People who live in coastal areas often have to evacuate, or leave their homes until it’s safe to come back.
- Texas has more tornadoes than any other state.
- Part of the reason is that Texas is such a large state.
- Tornadoes can happen any month of the year, but most tend to happen in late Spring and early Summer, between 4 PM and 8 PM.
2. Review vocabulary and complete quiz.
Gable Roof A type of roof in which two sides form an “A” shape
Hip Roof A type of roof in which ALL sides slope down
Thunderstorm A storm with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain or hail
Tornado A mobile, destructive column of rotating air going from a thunderstorm to the ground. It looks like a funnel-shaped cloud.
3. Check out these tips to stay safe in a tornado.
4. Make a tornado in a bottle.
Try adding a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap.
5. Watch footage of hurricanes.
- Keep in mind, we do not live on the coast!
- The damage from this video is close to the ocean.
- Notice how far from the blue ocean Corsicana is (the red dot).
- Hurricanes can cause stormy weather as here in Corsicana, but are not as destructive here as in the video below.
- It’s good to respect the power of hurricanes and to be prepared for them, but you do not need to live in fear of hurricanes here.
NOTE: Hurricane Harvey is referred to in the above video as having occurred only a few weeks ago. It actually occurred in 2017, when this video was made.
6. Check out some tips to keep you safe during storms.
Speaking of tornados…
What is a tornado’s favorite dessert?
Funnel Cake
7. “Tornados and Hurricanes”
