Lesson Plan - Chasing Twisters

Watch the Video
Watch the video “What You Need to Know About Tornadoes.” Then discuss: Why do you think tornadoes are considered some of the most destructive forces of nature?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• meteorologists 
• precautions

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about why someone might choose to become a storm chaser.

1. How do storm trackers like the Castors help people who live in tornado-prone areas?
Storm trackers like the Castors help people who live in tornado-prone areas by observing when a tornado forms and reporting the location to the news. The article also says that the Castors “make real-time reports about the twister’s strength and path so people in the area can quickly take shelter.”
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2. What details in the article best support the idea that tracking tornadoes is “risky business”?
The article supports the idea that tracking tornadoes is “risky business” by detailing the dangers the Castors face, like tornadoes shifting directions, strong winds, flying debris, downed power lines, and hailstorms.
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3. What are three facts you can learn from the sidebar, “How a Tornado Forms”?
Sample response: Three facts you can learn from the sidebar include that storms called supercells can spawn tornadoes, that the column of rotating wind in a tornado is known as a mesocyclone, and that the funnel-shaped cloud is considered a tornado when it hits the ground.
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Featured Skill: Paired Text
The skill builder “Tornado in a Bottle” explains how to create a tornado-like vortex in a plastic bottle. Have students read the passage in conjunction with the cover story, then answer the questions on the skill builder. Gather materials and give the activity a try!
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