Puppet Shows on Extreme Weather Preparedness
Created byBrittany Botta
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Puppet Shows on Extreme Weather Preparedness

KindergartenScienceEnglish5 days
In this project, kindergarten students engage in an interactive learning experience by creating and performing puppet shows to educate their community about extreme weather preparedness. Through various activities, including exploring extreme weather types, understanding safety measures, and learning about the roles of community helpers, students develop foundational knowledge that culminates in a group presentation using puppets. The project emphasizes collaboration and communication skills, aligning with science and English standards, and aims to foster students' creativity and understanding of weather safety concepts.
Extreme WeatherPuppet ShowsSafety PreparednessKindergartenCommunity HelpersCollaborationCommunication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we creatively educate our community about extreme weather safety and preparedness through puppet shows, using knowledge of science, community roles, and effective communication?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is extreme weather?
  • How can we stay safe during a storm or other extreme weather event?
  • Why is it important to be prepared for extreme weather?
  • What tools or technologies help us during extreme weather events?
  • How can we communicate important safety information during extreme weather?
  • What role do community helpers play during extreme weather events?
  • How can we use puppet shows to inform others about extreme weather and safety?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will identify different types of extreme weather and understand their characteristics.
  • Students will learn the importance of preparedness and safety measures during extreme weather events.
  • Students will develop communication skills through performing puppet shows.
  • Students will understand the role of community helpers in extreme weather situations.
  • Students will collaborate with peers to create educational content for puppet shows.

NGSS

K-ESS3-1
Primary
Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.Reason: Students will create puppet shows to educate the community about how humans prepare for and respond to extreme weather, aligning with representing relationships between humans and their environment.
K-ESS3-2
Supporting
Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasts in preparing for, and responding to, severe weather.Reason: Through understanding weather forecasts, students will learn about preparing for severe weather, a key component of the puppet show project.

Common Core Standards

RI.K.1
Primary
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.Reason: Students will investigate extreme weather events and prepare material for puppet shows, which involves asking and answering questions about key details.
RI.K.10
Secondary
Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.Reason: The project's puppet shows require group collaboration and understanding of extreme weather conditions and safety.
K-SL.1
Primary
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.Reason: Students will work together to plan and perform puppet shows, engaging in conversations about weather, safety, and community roles.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Emergency Adventure Quest

Transform the classroom into an 'Emergency Adventure Park' with obstacle courses and challenges reflecting real-world emergency scenarios like floods or storms. Students must navigate these challenges, fostering inquiry about safety measures and preparedness, ultimately inspiring them to devise puppet shows demonstrating these key concepts.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Weather Wonders Exploration

Students explore and identify different types of extreme weather through interactive storybooks and videos, building foundational knowledge for their project.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of extreme weather by reading an interactive storybook or watching a weather-themed video.
2. Have students identify types of extreme weather mentioned in the story or video.
3. Discuss with students how each type of weather affects the environment and people.
4. Create a class chart categorizing different weather types with visuals and simple descriptions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class chart displaying different types of extreme weather and their characteristics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with K-ESS3-1 by helping students use a model (chart) to represent the relationship between human needs and their environment.
Activity 2

Safety Superheroes

Students learn about the importance of preparedness and safety measures during extreme weather. They brainstorm ideas on how to stay safe and create visual aids to remember these measures.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of emergency preparedness through classroom discussions and visuals.
2. Engage students in a brainstorming session to identify safety measures for different types of extreme weather.
3. Have students draw pictures of safety equipment or actions (like wearing a raincoat or having a flashlight) related to extreme weather preparedness.
4. Compile the student drawings into a collective 'Safety Superhero' booklet for the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 'Safety Superhero' booklet containing visual aids of safety measures for extreme weather events.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports K-ESS3-2 by exploring weather forecasts' role in preparation and safety, enabling students to ask relevant questions about preparedness.
Activity 3

Community Helpers Theater

Students learn about the roles of community helpers during extreme weather events and act out roles to deepen their understanding.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to different community helpers (e.g., firefighters, police, meteorologists) and their roles during extreme weather events.
2. Facilitate role-play activities where students act out the roles of different community helpers.
3. Discuss how each helper contributes to community safety during extreme weather.
4. Have the students create simple props or badges representing each helper.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA role-playing session where students perform as community helpers with props and badges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with K-SL.1 as students collaborate and engage in conversations about community roles through acting and discussion.
Activity 4

Extreme Weather Puppet Masters

With their foundational knowledge in place, students work in small groups to create puppet shows that communicate key safety information about extreme weather to the community.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. In small groups, students choose a type of extreme weather to focus their puppet show on.
2. Guide students to create a simple script that incorporates what they've learned about safety measures and community roles.
3. Facilitate puppet-making sessions where students craft puppets representing their characters (including community helpers).
4. Rehearse the puppet shows, emphasizing clear communication and engagement.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA group puppet show that educates about extreme weather safety, performed for classmates or the community.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers RI.K.10 and K-ESS3-1 by engaging students in collaborative group activities and representing safety in extreme weather through a model (puppet show).
Activity 5

Weather Reporters on Duty

Students transform into weather reporters, presenting a mock weather forecast that informs the class about upcoming extreme weather and the necessary preparations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to basic weather forecasting terms and how weather reports are structured.
2. Allow students to select an extreme weather type to report on and prepare their forecast.
3. Students use visual aids, like pictures or simple graphs, to enhance their report.
4. Conduct a class 'news broadcast' where students present their weather report to the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class news broadcast with students reporting weather forecasts, practicing communication skills and application of weather knowledge.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RI.K.1 by supporting students in asking and answering questions about weather forecasts, enhancing understanding of their purpose and importance.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Extreme Weather Community Education Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Extreme Weather

Assess the student's ability to identify and explain different types of extreme weather and their impacts on the environment and people.
Criterion 1

Identification of Weather Types

Ability to accurately identify and name different types of extreme weather.

Exemplary
4 Points

Accurately identifies and clearly names multiple types of extreme weather, demonstrating a deep understanding of each.

Proficient
3 Points

Correctly identifies and names familiar types of extreme weather with some understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies a few types of extreme weather, but may confuse them or miss key details.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify extreme weather types, with frequent errors or omissions.

Criterion 2

Explanation of Weather Impact

Understanding of how extreme weather affects the environment and communities.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides detailed and accurate explanations of how various extreme weather events impact the environment and communities.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear explanations for several extreme weather events, with minor inaccuracies.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic explanations that may lack detail or accuracy about weather impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

Has difficulty articulating how weather impacts environments, showing little understanding.

Category 2

Preparedness and Safety Measures

Evaluate student's grasp of preparedness strategies and safety measures for extreme weather.
Criterion 1

Knowledge of Safety Measures

Understanding and recall of appropriate safety measures for different weather types.

Exemplary
4 Points

Accurately describes and justifies multiple safety measures for various extreme weather events.

Proficient
3 Points

Describes relevant safety measures for common extreme weather events with minor omissions.

Developing
2 Points

Recalls some basic safety measures, but lacks consistency or detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify appropriate safety measures, showing minimal understanding.

Criterion 2

Application of Preparedness Strategies

Skill in applying preparedness strategies in project scenarios.

Exemplary
4 Points

Effectively applies preparedness strategies in creative and applicable ways across projects.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies common preparedness strategies appropriately in projects.

Developing
2 Points

Applies preparedness strategies with inconsistencies or partial success.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal application of preparedness strategies, often requiring prompts.

Category 3

Communication and Collaboration

Assess communication clarity and collaboration efficiency during group activities like puppet shows.
Criterion 1

Clarity of Communication

Effectiveness of student communication during presentations and performances.

Exemplary
4 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and enthusiastically during all performance segments.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates effectively, with minor issues in clarity or engagement.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates basic ideas with some effort, but with noticeable issues in clarity.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with communication during performances, often needing assistance.

Criterion 2

Collaboration with Peers

Ability to collaborate effectively with peers during group projects.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates leadership and proactive teamwork skills, contributing significantly to group efforts.

Proficient
3 Points

Collaborates well with peers, contributing positively to group activities.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group work but exhibits challenges with effective collaboration.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited collaboration, often needing guidance to participate.

Category 4

Creative Expression through Puppet Shows

Evaluate creativity and skill in using puppet shows as a medium to convey weather safety messages.
Criterion 1

Creativity in Puppet Shows

Ingenuity and originality in developing puppet show content and characters.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates high creativity with original themes and appealing characters, enhancing the show's educational impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates engaging puppet shows with creative elements and clear educational content.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some creativity in puppet shows, though elements may be less coherent or unique.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal creativity evident in puppet shows, often relying heavily on guidance.

Criterion 2

Effectiveness of Safety Messaging

Clarity and impact of safety messages conveyed through the puppet show.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conveys safety messages with exceptional clarity and impact, ensuring audience understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates safety messages effectively, although some elements may require clarification.

Developing
2 Points

Safety messages understood, but both clarity and impact could be improved.

Beginning
1 Points

Conveys safety messages ineffectively, often leading to audience confusion.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How confident do you feel about explaining different types of extreme weather to someone else?

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Question 2

What was the most important safety measure you learned during the 'Safety Superheroes' activity?

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Question 3

Which community helper role did you find most interesting, and why?

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Question 4

How well did your group collaborate during the 'Extreme Weather Puppet Masters' project?

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Question 5

What did you enjoy most about being a 'Weather Reporter on Duty,' and what did you learn?

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Question 6

Reflect on how creating puppet shows helped you learn and teach about extreme weather safety.

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