Mia's Hurricane Explorer Adventure!

Materials Needed

• Clear jar with a tight-fitting lid (like a mason jar or large jam jar)
• Water
• Dish soap (a few drops)
• Blue food coloring (optional)
• Glitter or small beads (to represent debris)
• Paper and crayons or markers
• Pencil
• A computer or tablet for watching a video
• For Bug Repellent:
• Small spray bottle
• 1/4 cup Witch Hazel
• 1/4 cup Distilled or boiled water (cooled)
• 10-15 drops of kid-safe essential oil (like citronella, lavender, or lemon eucalyptus)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, Mia will be able to:

• Explain what a hurricane is in her own words and describe its spinning motion.
• Calculate the amount of water her family needs to be prepared for a week-long emergency.
• Create a basic emergency preparedness checklist for her family.
• Understand why it's important to be prepared for natural disasters.

Lesson Steps

1. Step 1: Let's Get Curious! (5 minutes)

   Start by asking Mia some questions to get her thinking. This is a time to wonder, and there are no wrong answers!

   • What do you already know about big storms?
   • Have you ever seen a storm with very strong wind and rain? What did it look and sound like?
   • What shape do you think a hurricane makes when it spins?
   • Why do you think being prepared for a big storm is a good idea?

2. Step 2: What is a Hurricane? (10 minutes)

   Let's watch a video to learn the basics. A great, kid-friendly option is "Hurricanes 101" by National Geographic (you can find it easily on YouTube).

   Before you watch, say: "Let's be detectives and look for two things: 1) What is the 'eye' of the hurricane? and 2) What do hurricanes need to form?"

   After watching, discuss:

   • So, what did you find out about the hurricane's 'eye'? Was it calm or stormy there?
   • What special ingredient does a hurricane need to form over the ocean? (Warm water!)
   • Can you draw a picture of a hurricane from above, showing the eye and the spinning clouds?

3. Step 3: Make a Hurricane in a Jar! (10 minutes)

   This is the fun part! We'll create our own mini-hurricane to see how it spins.

   1. Fill the jar about three-quarters full with water.
   2. Add a few drops of blue food coloring if you're using it, and put the lid on to shake it up.
   3. Open the jar and add a few drops of dish soap and a sprinkle of glitter. The glitter will act like clouds and debris, so we can see the spinning motion better.
   4. Put the lid on TIGHTLY!
   5. Turn the jar upside down and swirl it in a circle for a few seconds. Then, turn it right-side up, place it on a table, and watch! You should see a vortex—a mini-whirlpool—form in the middle. That's your hurricane!
   6. Try spinning it faster or slower. What happens to the "eye" in the middle?

4. Step 4: Hurricane Math! Be Prepared! (15 minutes)

   When a hurricane might come, it's very important to have enough supplies. The most important supply is water! Experts say every person needs 1 gallon of water per day. Let's figure out how much your family needs for a whole week (that's 7 days).

   Let's Solve the Problem:

   1. First, who is in our family? Count the number of people. (e.g., Mia, Mom, Dad = 3 people)
   2. Don't forget pets! Do you have pets? Count them too! Let's say one dog. (e.g., 3 people + 1 dog = 4 total)
   3. Calculate for one day: If each person and pet needs 1 gallon per day, how many gallons does your family need for just one day? (e.g., 4 people/pets x 1 gallon = 4 gallons per day)
   4. Calculate for a week: Now, let's find out how much you need for 7 days. You can do this with addition or multiplication!
      Multiplication: 4 gallons per day X 7 days = ?
      Repeated Addition: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = ?
   5. Answer: Write down your final answer! This is how many gallons of water your family should have in an emergency kit.

   Teacher Tip: You can use jugs of water or drawings of jugs as physical counters to help Mia visualize the math problem.

5. Step 5: Be a Safety Helper! (15 minutes)

   Let's create an emergency preparedness checklist. You can be in charge of helping the family make sure you have everything! Get a piece of paper and fold it in half. On the front, draw a picture of your family being safe. Inside, let's write a list.

   Here are some ideas to get you started. You can draw a little picture next to each one.

   • [ ] Water (We know how much we need now!)
   • [ ] Food that doesn't need cooking (like granola bars, crackers)
   • [ ] Flashlights and extra batteries
   • [ ] First-aid kit
   • [ ] Pet food and extra water for our pet
   • [ ] A special toy or book to keep you busy
   • [ ] A battery-powered radio

   What else do you think your family would need to be safe and comfortable?

6. Step 6: Pesky Pests! (10 minutes)

   After a big rainstorm, there can be lots of standing water, which is where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs. Let's make a simple, kid-safe spray to keep them away!

   Instructions (Adult supervision needed):

   1. Using a funnel if you have one, carefully pour the witch hazel and cooled water into the small spray bottle.
   2. Add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil. Lavender and citronella are great choices.
   3. Close the bottle tightly and shake it up really well.
   4. Label your bottle "Bug Spray" with a marker. Now you have your very own repellent for your next outdoor adventure!

7. Step 7: Show What You Know! (5 minutes)

   Let's talk about our adventure today!

   • Show me your Hurricane in a Jar and explain what happens inside.
   • Tell me the three most important things you think should be on your family's emergency checklist.
   • Why is it helpful to plan ahead for big storms?

Extension Ideas

• Track a Storm: If there is an active tropical storm or hurricane in the news, look up a tracking map online with a parent. See where it is and where it's predicted to go.
• Build a Kit: Use your checklist to gather the items for a real emergency kit. Find a special box or bag to store them in.
• Read a Book: Find a story about weather, like "The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane" by Joanna Cole or "A Hurricane Is Coming!" by Gavin Baby.