Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Protecting Against Tornadoes

Subject Area

English Language Arts
Science

Grade(s)

3

Overview

The teacher will present an informational text from the website, ReadWorks. Students will interact with this non-fiction text by annotating the text digitally. The students will answer the questions associated with the article as an assessment. This learning activity can introduce students to the concept of designing weather-resistant structures, serve as reinforcement after students have already learned this concept, or be used as an assessment at the conclusion of a lesson. 

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

    ELA21.3.18

    Demonstrate content knowledge built during independent reading of informational and literary texts by participating in content-specific discussions with peers and/or through writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.3.18

    Vocabulary

    • Demonstrate
    • Content knowledge
    • Independent reading
    • Informational text
    • Literary text
    • Content-specific discussions

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Content knowledge is information learned about a specific subject.
    • Content knowledge can be learned by independently reading text.
    • Informational text is nonfiction text, and literary text is fictional.
    • Active listening skills.
    • Writing skills.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Build content knowledge from independently reading informational or literary text.
    • Use content knowledge learned from independent reading in content-specific discussions with peers.
    • Use content knowledge learned from independent reading in writing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Content-specific discussions with peers can demonstrate the content knowledge they learned through independent reading.
    • They can produce writings that demonstrate knowledge of content-specific information.
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 3

    SC15.3.15

    Evaluate a design solution (e.g., flood barriers, wind resistant roofs, lightning rods) that reduces the impact of a weather-related hazard.*

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.3.15

    Vocabulary

    • Merit
    • Claim
    • Problem/solution
    • Design solution
    • Impact
    • Reduce
    • Weather-related hazard

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Engineers design solutions to reduce the impact of weather related hazards.
    • Problems caused by weather related problems.
    • Humans can not eliminate natural hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts.
    • Some design solutions are more effective than others.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Identify impacts of a weather related hazard.
    • Identify the effects of solutions to a problem that reduces the impact of a weather related hazard.
    • Make a claim about a designed solution that reduces the impact of a weather related hazard.
    • Communicate evidence to support the claim about a designed solution that reduces the impact of a weather related hazard.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • There are cause and effect relationships between weather-related hazards and design solutions created to reduce their impact.
    • There are benefits and risks to given solutions created when responding to the societal demand to reduce the impact of a hazard.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Engaging in Argument from Evidence

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    ReadWorks.org
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Audio resources: includes a transcript or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom
    ALSDE LOGO