1. 2nd Grade Amazing Earth January
Extreme Weather
2nd Grade Amazing Earth
January
Presentation should take about 15 minutes to allow ample time for the experiments.
Some information is noted as optional and helps as background info for potential questions or additional information to share as time allows.
Not everything in notes needs to be reviewed, so make it your own and have fun!
Just keep an eye on the clock as the kids love the hands-on activities.
Ask students to sit on the carpet so the activity can be set up at their desks.
You may have to limit questions or the number of students who can answer a question if time runs short.
Ask helpers to:
familiarize themselves with the activities and goals
set up during the presentation
decide what station/role they are covering
Thank you for making Amazing Earth possible!

2. What is Weather?
The day to day conditions of the air wherever you are on the planet. 
Weather may be described as hot, sunny, windy, cloudy, rainy, snowy, humid, etc.
ASK the students: what is weather?
Then CLICK to advance the slide to reveal the bullet points

3. What is Extreme Weather?
Any type of weather that is dangerous to people, animals or buildings
The type of extreme weather people experience depends on where they live and what season or time of year it is
Types of severe weather are:
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Blizzards
Droughts
Floods
ASK the students: what is extreme weather?
Then CLICK to advance the slide to reveal the bullet points
Let’s take a quick look at each of these…

4. Hurricane Facts Most damaging type of storm on Earth Huge Slow moving
Powerful
High winds
Heavy rain
Hurricane winds blow in a circle
Calm center is “the eye of the storm”
Dangerous waves
Floods
Background/Optional Facts
Huge – up to 400 miles wide covering several states
Slow moving - last for over a week, moving 10­-20 miles per hour over the open ocean
Powerful - brings high winds, heavy rain, high waves, storm surge, and floods
Wind speed ranges from 74 to over 155 miles/hour

5. Where do hurricanes usually form?
Form out over the warmer ocean waters closer to the Equator
Atlantic Ocean season is June thru November
Fun Facts
Storms are named alphabetically. The first storm of the year starts with the letter “A”
Storms have male and female names like:
Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Use the map to show the students where hurricanes (called cyclones in the Indian Ocean and typhoons in Southeast Asia) typically form.
Background/Optional Facts
Form out over the warmer ocean waters closer to the Equator
Typically between four to six destructive hurricanes in the US each year

6. The center of the tornado is the most dangerous part
Tornado Facts
A very violent and intense windstorm
A spinning tube of air that touches both the ground and a cloud above
It pick ups and destroys any object in its path
Typically lasts less than 10 minutes
Background/Optional Facts
Tornadoes move at a speed of between 25 and 90 miles per hour
The size of a tornado on the ground is about 25 to 50 yards - *25 to 50 yards equals the size of 1 or 2 Reston pools
Wind speed 65 to mph
A tornado that occurs over water is called a waterspout.
The center of the tornado is the most dangerous part

7. Where do tornadoes usually form?
Found on every continent except Antarctica
The most dangerous tornadoes in the world happen in the central US states, nicknamed ‘Tornado Alley”
Background/Optional Facts
Form where warm moist air and cold dry air meet
So, which is worse a hurricane or tornado?
Meteorologists say it depends on what you're comparing. While tornadoes may be more intense storms, hurricanes tend to stick around much longer, cover more ground and cause more damage.
People who live in Tornado Alley build storm shelters beneath their homes

8. Blizzard Facts A blizzard is a long-lasting snowstorm that has:
Strong winds
Intense snow fall making it hard to see far
Happen all over the world
Background/Optional Facts
A long-lasting snowstorm - at least 3 hours
Strong winds - at least 35 mph
Intense snow fall making it hard to see far
Snow forms when warm air and cold air collide. If there is more cold air it creates snow if there is more warm air it will just rain. 

9. Drought Facts
A drought is a lack of precipitation (rain, snow) over a long time, usually one season or more
Affects human, animals and plants:
need water to live
water to grow food
use water in our daily life
Happens all over in the world
Background/Optional Facts
Droughts happen anywhere in the world but mostly in areas without balanced weather (like the US Southwest)

10. Flood Facts
A flood is the overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry
Caused by:
heavy rains
when ocean waves come on shore
when snow melts too fast
when dams or levees break
Floods are the most common and widespread weather disaster in the world
Background/Optional Facts
Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. They can occur quickly or over a long period and may last days, weeks, or longer.

11. How and Why do Scientist Measure Weather?
Scientists measure and record weather data to help us predict (forecast) future weather
Types of weather instrument used to measure are:
Weather Satellites
Anemometer
Thermometer – air temperature
Anemometer – wind speed
Weather vane – wind direction
Weather satellite – track large-scale air movements (like hurricanes)
Rain gauge – amount of precipitation
Thermometer
ASK: Does anyone know why scientists measure weather?
ASK: Do you know the names of some of the tools scientist use or what the scientists are measuring?
CLICK to reveal the bullet points and pictures.
Pronounced “an·e·MOM·e·ter”
Rain Gauge
Weather Vane

12. Tornado & Hurricane Scales
Using past weather data and storm outcomes, scientists created scales to explain what damage to expect. This information helps everyone prepare.
Tornado scale ranges are EF 0-5 and Hurricanes are in Categories, CAT 1 to CAT 5.
Actual FUJITA Scale for Tornadoes
Funny Example of Hurricane Categories

13. Extreme Weather Activities
Stay on the carpet to learn what we are doing
Back at your desk we have two activities:
Activity One: Tornado in a Bottle
Activity Two: Make your own Weather Vane
Tornado in a Bottle
Make your own Weather Vane

14. Activity One: Tornado in a Bottle
Each student has one turn to create the “tornado.” Here’s a demonstration…
Turn the bottles so the water is on top
Set it on the desk or hold it steady
Place one hand in the middle and one hand on top
Swirl the bottles about 3-5 times
In seconds a “tornado” appears!
Demonstrate how to make the tornado.
See separate activity instructions sheet

15. Activity Two: Make your own Weather Vane
1) Decorate your lid and side of cup
3) Put pencil through lid and into Play-Doh
2) Place Play-Doh in bottom of cup
4) Glue square and triangle onto straw
5) Place pin through straw and into pencil eraser
Finished weather vane
LEAVE THIS SLIDE UP for reference
See separate activity instructions sheet
Updated 12/10/18