Weather Wonders: Exploring Extreme Conditions
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we creatively explore and communicate the impacts of extreme weather on our environment, communities, and culture?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the different types of extreme weather conditions, and how do they affect the environment and communities?
- How can understanding extreme weather help keep people safe?
- How do extreme weather events impact the art and culture of the regions they affect?
- How can we use art to communicate the effects and emotions related to extreme weather events?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand and describe the various types of extreme weather and their effects on the environment and communities.
- Identify and explain safety measures to take during extreme weather situations.
- Create artistic representations that express the impact and emotions associated with extreme weather events.
Next Generation Science Standards
National Core Arts Standards
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMysterious Package
A mysterious package arrives in the classroom containing weather instruments, damaged photos, and a cryptic message about an approaching extreme weather event. Students must decipher the clues to prepare for the impending “storm.”Weather News Studio
The classroom is transformed into a “Weather News Studio” where students take on roles as meteorologists, reporters, and field correspondents to investigate and report on different types of extreme weather. They create short news segments on chosen events.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Weather Data Detective
Students explore different types of extreme weather and collect data related to them. They will work with tables and graphical displays to represent their findings.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityTables and graphical displays showcasing data on extreme weather conditions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 3-ESS2-1 by encouraging data representation about weather conditions.Safety Strategy Storyboards
Students will devise and illustrate safety strategies for different extreme weather scenarios, using a storyboard format.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed storyboard illustrating safety strategies for a selected extreme weather event.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal of identifying safety measures during extreme weather.Artistic Weather Wonders
Students will create artwork representing the emotions and impacts of extreme weather on their chosen region. The focus is on using artistic elements to convey understanding.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityArtworks depicting the emotional impact of extreme weather.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 3-VIS:Cr2.1.3 by allowing students to express environmental concerns through art.Weather Impact Writer
Students write about the impacts of extreme weather on a community or culture. They will focus on organizing their ideas clearly and informatively.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn informative text detailing the impacts of a selected extreme weather event on a community or culture.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 by having students write informative texts about extreme weather impacts.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioExtreme Weather Exploration Assessment Rubric
Data Representation and Analysis
Evaluates students' ability to gather, organize, and visually present data related to extreme weather.Data Collection
Ability to collect accurate and relevant data on a selected extreme weather type.
Exemplary
4 PointsCollects comprehensive and valid data with clear relevance to the selected extreme weather event.
Proficient
3 PointsCollects adequate and mostly relevant data pertaining to the selected weather event.
Developing
2 PointsCollects incomplete or partly relevant data on the selected weather event.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to collect relevant data; data is largely inappropriate or missing.
Data Visualization
The skill in creating tables and graphs to represent collected data accurately.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates highly accurate and aesthetically engaging tables and graphs that effectively represent data.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates accurate tables and graphs that appropriately represent collected data.
Developing
2 PointsCreates tables and graphs with some accuracy issues that partially represent data.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with creating accurate tables and graphs; data representation is unclear or incorrect.
Understanding and Application of Safety Measures
Assesses the student's ability to identify and creatively illustrate safety strategies for handling extreme weather situations.Identification of Safety Measures
Extent to which students can accurately identify and understand safety measures for selected extreme weather.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies a comprehensive range of relevant safety measures, showing deep understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies most relevant safety measures with a good level of understanding.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some relevant safety measures, but with limited understanding or inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify relevant safety measures; shows little understanding.
Illustration and Explanation
Quality and clarity of storyboards illustrating safety strategies with explanations.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a detailed and clear storyboard with precise explanations; effectively communicates safety strategies.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a clear storyboard with understandable explanations of safety strategies.
Developing
2 PointsStoryboard is partially detailed; explanations are vague or partially incorrect.
Beginning
1 PointsStoryboard is unclear or incomplete; explanations are missing or inadequate.
Artistic Expression and Emotional Communication
Evaluates the student's ability to express the emotional impact of extreme weather through art.Artistic Creativity
The creativity and originality in using art to depict extreme weather and its impacts.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional creativity and originality in using art to vividly depict extreme weather impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates creativity and originality in using art to depict extreme weather impacts.
Developing
2 PointsShows some creativity in art, but representation of weather impacts is less clear or original.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to use art creatively; depiction of weather impacts lacks clarity or originality.
Emotional Conveyance
Effectiveness in conveying emotions related to extreme weather through artwork.
Exemplary
4 PointsArtwork conveys emotions very effectively, with strong connection between artistic elements and weather impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsArtwork effectively conveys emotions, with good use of artistic elements related to weather impacts.
Developing
2 PointsArtwork conveys some emotions, but connections to weather impacts are weak.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to convey emotions; artistic elements do not clearly relate to weather impacts.
Informative Writing on Weather Impacts
Assesses the ability to clearly write about the impacts of extreme weather on communities and cultures.Content Accuracy and Depth
The accuracy and depth of content and information presented in written text.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides highly accurate and in-depth content that thoroughly examines weather impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides accurate and sufficiently detailed content on weather impacts.
Developing
2 PointsProvides some accurate content, but lacks depth or has minor inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides limited or inaccurate content, showing minimal understanding.
Organization and Clarity
How well-organized and clear the written text is, ensuring ease of understanding.
Exemplary
4 PointsText is exceptionally well-organized and clear, with seamless flow and readability.
Proficient
3 PointsText is well-organized and generally clear, with minor issues in flow or readability.
Developing
2 PointsText shows some organization, but with issues affecting clarity and readability.
Beginning
1 PointsText is poorly organized, unclear, with significant issues impacting readability.