2nd Grade Extreme Weather Unit Lesson Plan

Alison Carpenter

This is a weeklong unit. Students will be introduced to the topic and unit outline on
Monday. They will work on research and projects throughout the week. On Friday
students will present their group projects to the class.

Second Grade Standards Met:

Social Studies Standard 2 Objective 3
Observe, describe, and measure seasonal weather patterns and local variations.
a. Analyze and interpret data such as temperatures in different locations and
different times.
Reading: Informational Text Standard 3
Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or
concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

Reading: Informational Text Standard 5

Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings,
glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in
a text efficiently.

Reading: Informational Text Standard 7

Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works)
contribute to and clarify a text.

Writing Standard 2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and
definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.

Writing Standard 7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books
on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).

Writing Standard 8
Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources
to answer a question.
Speaking and Listening Standard 2
Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information
presented orally or through other media.
Monday:
Objective: Students will be able to identify extreme weather. (hurricane, tornado,
blizzard, thunderstorm, tsunami)

The teacher will start a group discussion about weather. Students will share with a
partner a time when theyve been in a storm. Students will listen to their partners
experience. When they are finished the whole class will gather together to share.
Individuals will be randomly called to share what their partner experienced. Then the
class will discuss similarities and differences between students experiences.

The class will watch a video about extreme weather conditions. Then students will
develop at least one question they have about each type of weather.

Tuesday and Wednesday:

Objective: Students will be able to explain a hurricane, tornado, blizzard, thunderstorm,
and tsunami.

The teacher will explain that students will be finding answers to the questions they
developed the previous day. As a class and in partners students will be reading different
information text provided by the teacher, online, and in their Wonders reading program
book. Students will be looking for key details to answer their questions. They will also be
reading to find a definition or explanation of each type of extreme weather. Students will
also begin learning about what they can do if they find themselves caught in any of
these extreme weather conditions.

After reading students will explain in a weather journal what each type of weather is.
Students will draw and label pictures as well as write a brief explanation of the
conditions for that extreme weather.

Thursday:
Objective: Students will be able to work with a partner to complete a chart explaining
where different extreme weather occurs, why it occurs, what happens when it occurs,
and what to do when it occurs.

Using their journals and any notes theyve taken while researching students will work in
partners to complete a chart explaining where, why, what happens, and what to do
when each extreme weather condition occurs. After completing the chart students will
be put into small groups and assigned a specific extreme weather condition. In their
small groups students will create a poster for their assigned weather. The poster will
include the following: a picture of their weather, an explanation of where it happens and
why it happens (drawing a map is optional), an explanation of what happens, and what
people can do to stay safe. Each member of the group will be assigned a colored
marker. Every students marker color and handwriting should be present on the poster
to ensure that all students are participating.

Friday:
Objective: Students will be able to orally present and explain specific extreme weather
conditions.

In their small groups students will present their posters to the class. Each member of
the group will explain one part of their poster. Students not presenting will have a
chance to ask any questions after the presentation. When all the groups are done five
students will randomly be chosen to say one thing they learned or liked about another
group's presentation.