Raft Task Card

This RAFT Card is designed for fourth grade level.

ROLE (student)
Meteorologist for

AUDIENCE
Local residents in

FORMAT
YouTube Weather

TOPIC
How can

the viewing area

Report

information about

local news station

hurricanes and

Row 1
tornados be so
important to
Families
Red Cross Prevention
Row 2

PowToon

report?
While weather can

Presentation

be unpredictable at

Specialist

times, how do
families stay

Police Officer

Young Children

Online book

Row 3

prepared?
What does
different serve
weather look like?

RAFT Row 1
Objective:
You will be able to explain about the importance of reporting about hurricanes and
tornadoes.
SC State Standard- Grade 4: 4.E.2B.2 Obtain and communicate
information about severe weather phenomena (including thunderstorms,
hurricanes, and tornadoes) to explain steps humans can take to reduce the
impact of severe weather phenomena.

ISTE Standard- 1. Creativity and innovation (b); 2. Communication and

collaboration (b); 3. Research and information fluency (a.b); 6. Technology
operations and concepts (a, b).
Student Role:

Meteorologist for a local news station

Audience:
Local residents in the viewing area.
Format:
YouTube weather forecast
Topic:
How can information about hurricanes and tornados be so important to report?

Directions:
1. Go to http://www.weather.gov/owlie/kidsville and review the article about Tornados
and the article about Hurricanes.
2. Go to http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/tornado-samaras/ and watch the video to get an
idea of how you might want to do your video as well as learn more about Tornados.
3. Explore http://www.weather.com/ to find out about what parts of a weather report
you would like to include.
4. After finding the information make a script that you will follow for your recording.
5. Once you have practiced and had someone help you will the different props you may
use it will be time to record your video.
6. The video will be recorded at school so you can use what is available to make it.
7. Before uploading your video to YouTube make sure to get assistance to verify that it
is marked as private.
Resources:
Kidsville News
http://www.weather.gov/owlie/kidsville
Tornado information
http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/tornado-samaras/
Types of severe weather
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/
Weather Channel

http://www.weather.com/
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/
Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Assessment:
Prepare a YouTube video with information about hurricanes and tornados as though it was a live
broadcast.

50 points for quality of video. 2 visual aids in video. This could be a drawn map of the
reporting area and pictures of different hurricanes and tornados. The video should be no
longer than 4 minutes. Brief information of what to do if serve weather is spotted.

25 points for being able to operate the smart board to show the video to the class. To be
able to answer any questions that may come from watching the video.

20 points for appropriate dress and scenery on video.

5 points for proper grammar.

RAFT Row 2
Objective:
You will be able to discuss different prevention strategies for families when facing the
chance of severe weather.
SC State Standard- Grade 4: 4.E.2B.2 Obtain and communicate
information about severe weather phenomena (including thunderstorms,
hurricanes, and tornadoes) to explain steps humans can take to reduce the
impact of severe weather phenomena.
ISTE Standards: 1. Creativity and innovation (a, b); 4. Critical thinking, problem solving and
decision making (a, c); 5. Digital citizenship (a, b). 6. Technology operations and concepts (a, b).
Student Role:
Red Cross Prevention Specialist
Audience:
Families

Format:
PowToon Presentation
Topic:
While weather can be unpredictable at times, how do families stay prepared?

Directions:
1. Go to http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather to review different ways to prepare for severe
weather.
2. Take notes of different things you thing families would need to know if any serve weather
were to happen.
3. Then make a PowToon presentation with 10-12 slides.
4. Within this presentation if there are any images they must come from copyright free site
(listed below)
5. Practice presenting the presentation to a classmate before the day of presentations.
6. Remember to not use any words that you cannot explain because there will be questions
from the families.
Resources:
Severe Weather Preparation
http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather
Types of relief after severe weather
http://www.scemd.org/
Prepare for severe weather
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml
Presentation Website
http://www.powtoon.com/
Copyright Images
http://www.imagesource.com/royalty-free
Videos of weather
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/weather-101-sci
Assessment:
Prepare a 10-12 slide presentation on PowToon, including reference slide that presents how to
prepare for severe weather.

50 points will be rewarded for the presentation including 1 video, 3 images, animation
and quality of research.

25 points will be rewarded for reference page on presentation and given to teacher.

20 points for professional dress during presentation.

5 points for grammar.

RAFT Row 3
Objective:
You will be able to identify different types of severe weather and
create a book that can be used by younger students to be aware of
severe weather.
SC State Standard- Grade 4: 4.E.2B.2 Obtain and communicate
information about severe weather phenomena (including thunderstorms,
hurricanes, and tornadoes) to explain steps humans can take to reduce the
impact of severe weather phenomena.
ISTE Standards- 2. Communication and Collaboration (b); 3. Research and
information Fluency (a). 6. Technology operations and concepts (a, b).
Student Role:
Police Officer
Audience:
Young children
Format:
Online Book
Topic:

What does different severe weather look like?

Directions:
1. Look at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/OwlieSkywarnBrochure.pdf for
ideas.
2. Look at your textbook to review the different types of severe weather (i.e.
hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornados).
3. Create an online book that is simple enough for young children to understand.
4. Remember the role of a Police officer (include safety tips).
5. Once the book is complete save the link to present.
6. The book will be viewed by a younger grade to see if they understand what is being
shown by the Police Officer.
7. Keep in mind of the audience (use color, pictures, and simple words).

Resources:
Example Book
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/OwlieSkywarnBrochure.pdf
Online Book making site
https://www.mystorybook.com/books/new/
Different type of weather
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/
Prepare for severe weather
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml

Assessment:
Prepare a 6-8 page online story book.

50 points will be rewarded for the book having images, text that is relevant to the topic.

25 points will be rewarded for reference page at the end of the book and given to the
teacher.

20 points for writing the book on the level of younger students. (hint: they like funny
characters)

5 points for grammar.