Spin City:  A WebQuest About

A WebQuest for 3rd Grade
Integrated Unit

Designed by
Sally Eller
seller@iss.k12.nc.us
Barb Thorson
bthorson@iss.k12.nc.us
 

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion |
Teacher Page

Introduction

Watch or Warning?  Tornadoes can form any time of the year, but are most common during the months of March, April, May, and June, and usually occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Where will you be when a tornado strikes?  You could be at home, school, outdoors, or in a public place.  If you have a disaster plan your chances of staying safe during a tornado will be greater.   What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off? Participation in this WebQuest will answer these questions and prepare you for a tornado watch, warning, or disaster.

The Task

You will be working with a small group of students in your class.  As a member of your group, you will need to learn what to do when a tornado strikes if you are at

home
school
outdoors
public place

Your group will be responsible for completing a Family Scavenger Hunt, developing a list of items needed in a Disaster Supply Kit, and creating a Family Disaster Plan.

The Process

1. Go to the link below and complete the activity.

Home	School	Outdoors	Public Places

2. Create a poster showing what you learned and share with your group.  The poster should include at least five facts and a picture or drawing of tornadoes.

3. Go to What's Happening Now to see what disasters might happen where you live.

4. Work with your group to create a Family Disaster Plan.

You will need to:

Do the Family Scavenger Hunt to see how many supplies your family has.

Make a list of what would be needed in a Disaster Supply Kit

Create a Family Disaster Plan.

5. Become a Disaster Action Kid and get a certificate from FEMA

Director
      James Lee Witt.

Resources

http://www.fema.gov/kids
 

  http://www.ncwiseowl.org

Tornado Safety
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html

WRAL TV - Click on Guide to Tornadoes
http://www.wral.com/weather/index.html

Evaluation

Individual team members will be evaluated by how well they answer the questions, gather information, and share with their team (see: rubric).

Conclusion

Each year many people are killed or seriously hurt by tornadoes despite watches and warnings.  Some did not hear the warning, while others heard the warning but did not believe a tornado would affect them.  The information learned in this WebQuest could save your life if a tornado happens where you live.  After you hear the watch or warning, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives.  It could be the most important decision you will ever make!