Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand what hurricanes are, how they form, and the safety measures to take during a hurricane. The student will also create a fun hurricane model to visualize the concepts learned.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Colored crayons or markers
• A small bowl of water
• Plastic wrap
• Straws
• Scissors (with supervision)

Before the lesson, make sure to explain that hurricanes are strong storms that can cause a lot of wind and rain. You might want to share a simple definition of a hurricane: "A hurricane is a big storm that forms over warm ocean water." Make sure to have a safe space for the activities, especially when using water.

Activities

• Hurricane Drawing:

  Start by drawing a picture of a hurricane. Use crayons or markers to show the swirling winds and rain. You can label parts like the eye, rain bands, and the strong winds. This will help you remember what a hurricane looks like!

• Water Hurricane Model:

  Using the small bowl of water, cover it with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Poke a few holes in the plastic wrap to represent the eye of the hurricane. Then, blow through a straw into the water to create waves and swirls! This will show you how hurricanes can form and move.

• Hurricane Safety Plan:

  Discuss what to do if a hurricane comes. Create a safety plan together! Write down things like staying indoors, having food and water ready, and knowing where to go if you need to evacuate. You can draw a picture of your safe place!

Talking Points

• "What do you think happens when a hurricane gets really strong?"
• "Can you tell me what the 'eye' of the hurricane is? It's the calm part in the middle!"
• "Why do you think hurricanes happen more in warm places? It’s because warm water helps them grow!"
• "What should we do if we hear a hurricane is coming? Always have a safety plan ready!"
• "Did you know that hurricanes can have winds of over 74 miles per hour? That’s really fast!"
• "How can we help each other during a hurricane? We can make sure everyone has what they need!"
• "What was your favorite part of learning about hurricanes today? I loved making the water model!"