Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will understand what hurricanes are, how they form, and their effects on the environment. The student will also create a fun art project that represents a hurricane, combining both art and science in a creative way.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Colored crayons or markers
- Water (to simulate rain)
- Plastic container (to catch water)
- Small fan (to create wind)
- Optional: A towel for cleanup
Before the lesson, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of what a hurricane is. Be ready to explain the concepts of wind, rain, and storms in simple terms.
Activities
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Hurricane Drawing
Start by drawing a picture of a hurricane on paper. Use blue for water, gray for clouds, and swirling colors for the wind. Encourage the student to be creative and add things they might see during a hurricane, like trees and houses!
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Water and Wind Experiment
Set up a plastic container to catch water and place it under a small fan. Pour a small amount of water into the container to simulate rain. Turn on the fan to create wind. Discuss how the wind and rain work together during a hurricane.
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Story Time
Read a short story about hurricanes or watch a kid-friendly video online. Afterward, ask the student what they learned and how they feel about hurricanes.
Talking Points
- "A hurricane is a big storm with strong winds and lots of rain. Can you imagine the wind blowing really hard?"
- "Hurricanes form over warm water. What do you think happens when the water gets hot?"
- "The wind in a hurricane can be so strong that it can blow down trees! What else do you think wind can do?"
- "When a hurricane comes, it can bring a lot of rain. How do you think that affects the animals and plants?"
- "Hurricanes have a special shape, like a spiral. Can you draw a spiral on your paper?"
- "Even though hurricanes can be scary, they are a part of nature. What do you think we can do to stay safe during a storm?"