Intro to Natural Disasters: Tornado Simulation

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

2

Overview

Students will interact with a Tornado VR Experience on Youtube and make observations about Earth's natural events that happen over a short period of time. Students will engage in conversation to discuss how natural disasters affect their lives. 

This activity is a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

Before/Engage
Science (2015) Grade(s): 2

SC15.2.8

Make observations from media to obtain information about Earth’s events that happen over a short period of time (e.g., tornados, volcanic explosions, earthquakes) or over a time period longer than one can observe (e.g., erosion of rocks, melting of glaciers).

UP:SC15.2.8

Vocabulary

  • Earth events/natural phenomena
  • Earthquake
  • Flood
  • Tornado
  • Volcanic explosions
  • Glaciers
  • Erosion
  • Landslides
  • Weathering

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Earth events and the results of those events may occur slowly or rapidly.
  • Some events are much longer than can be observed.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Make observations and obtain information from multiple sources to provide evidence about Earth events.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Eart's events may change the Earth slowly or rapidly.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts

Stability and Change

Learning Objectives

I can make observations about Earth's natural events that happen over short periods of time.

Activity Details

At the beginning of the activity, students will be given a KWL chart (This can be provided digitally or in paper format). Students will complete the first “K” question: What do you know about tornadoes?

Students will interact with the Tornado VR Experience. Students can click and drag the screen to view the video in 360o. Students will complete the next two boxes of the KWL chart: "What do you want to know about tornadoes?" and "What did you learn about tornadoes?"

Engage students in discussion:

  • Did the simulation match what you thought a tornado would be like?
  • What observations can you make about tornadoes?
  • How did the Earth change due to this tornado?
  • What are some other natural disasters?

Allow students time to complete the remaining boxes of their KWL chart discussing other natural disasters. "What do you know about other natural disasters?" and "What do you want to know about other natural disasters?" This will lead to your lesson about Earth's events that happen over a short period of time.

An example KWL Chart is located following this link. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tkCny-Qk0LgqzpGpOhA3klEh58JwnW-Zgs5bNQuY2wc/edit?usp=sharing

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will gain an understanding of how much background knowledge students have about natural disasters based on their responses on the KWL chart. 

Ex: What is a natural disaster and how can it affect the earth in a short amount of time?

Variation Tips

Students can work independently or in pairs. 

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to print the KWL chart or push it out to students through Google Classroom. 

Students will need to be able to access the Youtube video. If students are unable to view Youtube videos in your school district, the VR experience can be done in a whole group environment. 

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