Objective

By the end of this lesson, Norah will be able to understand the science behind tornado formation, describe historical tornado events, create tornado-inspired artwork, and write a short story about surviving a tornado.

Materials and Prep

• Internet access for research
• Paper and art supplies for drawing
• Writing materials for story creation

Activities

• Science Experiment: Research how tornadoes form and create a mini tornado in a bottle to demonstrate the concept.
• Historical Exploration: Learn about famous tornado events like the Tri-State Tornado of 1925 and create a timeline of significant tornado events.
• Art Project: Create a piece of artwork inspired by tornadoes using different colors and textures to depict the power and movement of a tornado.
• Writing Exercise: Write a short story from the perspective of someone experiencing a tornado. Describe the sights, sounds, and emotions involved in surviving a tornado.

Talking Points

• What causes a tornado to form?
  "Tornadoes form from powerful thunderstorms. When warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, it creates a spinning effect that can lead to the formation of a tornado."
• Can tornadoes occur anywhere?
  "Tornadoes can happen in many parts of the world, but they are most common in the United States. This region is known as Tornado Alley due to the frequent tornado activity."
• How do people stay safe during a tornado?
  "Seeking shelter in a basement or an interior room without windows is the best way to stay safe during a tornado. It's important to have a plan in place and listen to weather alerts."
• What is the Enhanced Fujita Scale?
  "The Enhanced Fujita Scale is used to measure the strength of tornadoes based on the damage they cause. It ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest)."