In The Eye of The Storm WebQuest

 

Created by:

Julie Orso, Ashley Clolinger, Suzanne Latham

 

 

 

Introduction  Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page

 

 

Introduction

 

  

     When I was in high school, ferocious Frederic came to my house!   I must admit I was as scared as a tiny mouse in a room full of hungry cats, especially since my dad was out of town on business.  I  remembered as a little girl watching Hurricane Camille from my bedroom window. The wind and rain raged all through the day and night. I also remembered the stories my grandma told me about the Hurricane of 1916 blowing away buildings. I knew there were many things to do to prepare for a hurricane.  My mom could not help because she managed a bank and had to work. Everyone needed cash.  No one knew how long the bank would be closed after Frederic hit. All my grandparents were too old to help.  It was up to me and my two brothers to prepare for the worst hurricane to hit Mobile in years. It took us all day to prepare for the storm. Finally my mom, grandparents, brothers and I were all safe and sound in our home. We tracked the storm all through the night. We heard whistling and cracking. In the morning we stepped out of our door to devastation. We couldn’t believe our eyes. There were power lines, trees and debris everywhere! A tree had even crushed the hatchback on my car. We were without power and water for two weeks. Boy, was I glad I learned about hurricanes in elementary school.  

                                              


Introduction   Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page
 

 
 


Task

 

 

     The National Hurricane Center has hired you to prepare a brochure about hurricanes for Hurricane Preparedness Week which is in May.  You will need to learn as much as possible about hurricanes.  The brochure will be distributed to school children everywhere.  For this project, you are to gather information from various resources.  The brochure will need to include the following topics:

 

·        General Information about hurricanes and other severe weather conditions associated with hurricanes

·        The dangers associated with hurricanes

·        Information on tracking hurricanes

·        Precautions that should be taken to prepare for a hurricane

·        Procedures to follow after a hurricane

·        Interesting facts and graphics 

 

Introduction   Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page
 
 


Process

 

Step 1:

 

With assigned partner gather research on hurricanes from the resources below:

 

·        Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological  Laboratory - Learn more about hurricanes from this national site.

 

  • USA Today Hurricane Information – USA Today provides a great deal of information at this site about the current storm season, tracking information, and weather outlooks. Be sure to spend some time here.

 

  • Weather Watch  Track a hurricane, learn hurricane trivia, and take an internet field trip at this site.

 

 

·        Storm Prediction Center

 

·        Federal Emergencies Management Agency – This is the site for the Federal agency that helps counties and states clean up and rebuild following a natural disaster.

 

  • The Weather Channel  -  Use the weather tools to track weather and learn more about weather systems.

 

·        Hurricane Hunters  -  View pictures and read information about hurricanes from the viewpoint of the Hurricane Hunters who fly into the eye of a storm.

 

·        National Hurricane Center  -  Get current information about hurricanes as well as read reports about past storms.

 

 

Step 2:

 

Go to Weather Watch and take the internet field trip for grades 4-8.  As you progress through the Field Trip, take notes that will help you complete your brochure.

 

Step 3:

 

Go to Weather Watch and read the tracking information. Use the tracking information sheet and map to plot the hurricane.

 

Step 4:

 

Design a brochure about hurricanes.

 

The brochure should include the following:

·        General Information about hurricanes and other severe weather conditions associated with hurricanes

·        The dangers associated with hurricanes

·        Precautions that should be taken to prepare for a hurricane

·        Procedures to follow after a hurricane

·        Interesting facts and graphics 

 

Step 5:

 

You will need to prepare an oral presentation for the National Hurricane Center Board of Directors (the other class members).  The Board of Directors will be looking for an attractive brochure that includes all of the above components.

 

Board of Directors Checklist

 

 

Introduction   Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page

 

Evaluation

Rubric

 

 

Making A Brochure : Hurricane WebQuest

 

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Writing - Organization

Each section in the brochure has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Almost all sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Most sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Less than half of the sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Writing – Grammar &  

                 Conventions

There are no grammatical   mistakes in the brochure.  Some figurative language and extended vocabulary is included.

There are 1-2 grammatical mistakes in the brochure. Some extended vocabulary is included.

There are 3-5 grammatical mistakes in the brochure.  Limited extended vocabulary is included.

There are more than 5 grammatical mistakes in the brochure.   Extended vocabulary is not present.

 Content & Data

Included information about dangers, precautions, and other unusual data. 

Included some of the required information and some unusual facts.

Limited information and facts were included.

Incorrect information or no information was given.

Attractiveness & Organization

The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.

The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information.

The brochure has well-organized information.

The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.

Graphics/Pictures

 

 

 

Website Activities

Graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics.

 

 

Group visited all websites.

Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text.

 

Group visited 6 – 8 websites.

Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few and the brochure seems "text-heavy".

 

Group visited 3 – 5 websites.

Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen.

 

 

Group visited less than 3 websites.

 

 

Introduction   Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page

 

Conclusion

 

       Hurricanes are the largest and most devastating storms on Earth.  These storms should be taken seriously.  Being prepared for a hurricane and understanding the dangers associated with hurricanes can save your life.  Hopefully, you will not need to use this information; but if a hurricane ever comes your way, this information will be invaluable.

 
 

 

 

 

 


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Introduction   Task   Process   Evaluation   Conclusion   Teacher Page

 

Teacher Page

 

Subject Area:

 

This WebQuest focuses on Science, Language and Technology skills.

 

Grade Level:

 

This was created with third through fifth grade students in mind, but it could be adapted for other grade levels as well.

 

Learner Information:

 

·        Basic Word Processing skills

·        Have a knowledge of brochures

·        Basic map skills and globe skills

·        Demonstrate skills to select, adjust, and respond to different purposes for Reading.

·        Basic computer skills

 

 

Curriculum Standards:

 

·        Use appropriate tools and technology resources to gather, analyze, and interpret data.

 

·        Use appropriate skills to design and conduct a scientific investigation.

 

·        Interpret data using various graphic organizers and reference materials.

 

·        Expand the development of map and globe skills.

 

·        Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to scientific investigations.

 

·        Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among science, technology, and society past and present.

 

·        Acquire and interpret information.

 

·        Demonstrate skills necessary to select, adjust, and respond to different purposes for reading

 

·        Employ study strategies with increasing facility to gain information

 

·        Demonstrate increased facility with oral language for a wide range of purposes including dramatizations.

 

·        Organize and present information in visual, oral, and/or print form.

 

·        Recognize positive and negative aspects of weather.

 

·        Recognize geographic weather patterns.

 

·        Recognize effects of weather.

 

·        Use weather instruments and other resources to record and predict weather.

 

 

Technology Standards:

 

·        Communicate about technology using developmentally appropriate and accurate terminology.

 

·        Discuss common uses of technology in daily life and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

 

·        Identify areas in which technology has impacted human lives.

 

·        Demonstrate basic operations of a word processor.

 

·        Utilize general purpose productivity tools to facilitate learning throughout the curriculum.

 

·        Use a variety of media and technology resources to create and communicate knowledge products across the curriculum.

 

·        Use the Internet to locate information.

 

·        Determine appropriate keywords for finding information using a web search.

 

·        Evaluate the relevance and appropriateness of electronic information sources.

 

·        Relate search results to class or individual assignments.

 

·        Use technology resources for problem solving.

 

 

Additional Sources of Information:

 

Weather Book List  -  This is a list of children’s books that are about weather.  You can read summaries and look for books about hurricanes specifically.

 

Weather Interactive Web Games  -  This site includes interactive games for children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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