Wild Weather Research Project

Research Questions:
1. Explain your type of weather and its characteristics.
2. How does it form or happen?
3. Is there a geographic area that is more likely to experience this type of weather? If so, where?
4. What are its effects on the environment?
5. What are its effects on humans?
6. You may also choose to include additional information, perhaps a question you listed in the “What I
Want to Learn” section of your KWL chart.

Websites to Use For Your Research:

Volcanoes:
1. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/volcanoes/index.htm
2. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactive/index.html
?section=v

Earthquakes:
1. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/earthquakes/
2. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php

Hurricanes:
1. http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/extreme-weather/22-extreme-weather/68-
hurricane
2. http://www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/hurricanes/index.htm

Tsunamis:
1. http://www.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/general/physics/physics.html
2. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/tsunami/index.html

Tornadoes:
1. http://www.extremescience.com/tornado.htm
2. http://www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/tornadoes/

Choices for Research Products:

1. PowerPoint presentation
2. Written report (about 2 paragraphs) with presentation to the class
3. Poster with presentation to the class
PowerPoint Presentation Rubric
CATEGORY 4-Excellent 3-Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Unsatisfactory

Required Elements All research All required All but one of the Several required
questions are research questions required research research questions
answered, and also are answered. questions are are not answered.
includes additional answered.
information.
Content Accuracy All content Most of the content The content is Content is typically
throughout the is accurate but generally accurate, confusing or
presentation is there is one piece but one piece of contains more than
accurate. There are of information that information is one factual error.
no factual errors. might be clearly flawed or
inaccurate. inaccurate.

Oral Presentation Group speaks Group speaks Group speaks Group mumbles or
clearly and clearly and clearly and can be understood
distinctly all (100- distinctly all (95 - distinctly most (80 less than 50% of the
95%) the time, and 80%) the time, and to 50%) of the time. time. Very little use
facial expressions facial expressions Facial expressions of facial expressions
and body language and body language and body language or body language.
generate a strong sometimes are used to try to Did not generate
interest and generate a strong generate some much interest in
enthusiasm about interest and enthusiasm. topic being
the topic in others. enthusiasm about presented.
the topic in others.

Use of Class Time Used time well Used time well Used some of the Did not use class
during each class during each class time well during time to focus on the
period. Focused on period. Usually each class period. project OR often
getting the project focused on getting There was some distracted others.
done. Never the project done focus on getting the
distracted others. and never project done but
distracted others. occasionally
distracted others.

Power Point Design Students used a Students did a good Students did a slide The slide show is
variety of design, and show, but the not well designed
resources, such as distribution of the sequence of or clearly layed out.
backgrounds, slide slides, but need a images, and the
transitions, special little more effects. design are deficient.
effects, and general
design of the show.
Written Report with Presentation Rubric
CATEGORY 4-Excellent 3-Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Unsatisfactory
Required Elements All research All required All but one of the Several required
questions are research questions required research research questions
answered, and also are answered. questions are are not answered.
includes additional answered.
information.
Content Accuracy All content Most of the content The content is Content is typically
throughout the is accurate but generally accurate, confusing or
presentation is there is one piece but one piece of contains more than
accurate. There are of information that information is one factual error.
no factual errors. might be clearly flawed or
inaccurate. inaccurate.
Oral Presentation Group speaks Group speaks Group speaks Group mumbles or
clearly and clearly and clearly and can be understood
distinctly all (100- distinctly all (95 - distinctly most (80 less than 50% of the
95%) the time, and 80%) the time, and to 50%) of the time. time. Very little use
facial expressions facial expressions Facial expressions of facial expressions
and body language and body language and body language or body language.
generate a strong sometimes are used to try to Did not generate
interest and generate a strong generate some much interest in
enthusiasm about interest and enthusiasm. topic being
the topic in others. enthusiasm about presented.
the topic in others.
Use of Class Time Used time well Used time well Used some of the Did not use class
during each class during each class time well during time to focus on the
period. Focused on period. Usually each class period. project OR often
getting the project focused on getting There was some distracted others.
done. Never the project done focus on getting the
distracted others. and never project done but
distracted others. occasionally
distracted others.
Quality of Writing All paragraphs Most paragraphs Paragraphs Paragraphing
include include included related structure was not
introductory introductory information but clear and sentences
sentence, sentence, were typically not were not typically
explanations or explanations or constructed well. related within the
details, and details, and paragraphs.
concluding concluding
sentence. sentence.
Poster with Presentation Rubric
CATEGORY 4-Excellent 3-Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Unsatisfactory
Required Elements All research All required All but one of the Several required
questions are research questions required research research questions
answered, and also are answered. questions are are not answered.
includes additional answered.
information.
Content Accuracy All content Most of the content The content is Content is typically
throughout the is accurate but generally accurate, confusing or
presentation is there is one piece but one piece of contains more than
accurate. There are of information that information is one factual error.
no factual errors. might be clearly flawed or
inaccurate. inaccurate.
Oral Presentation Group speaks Group speaks Group speaks Group mumbles or
clearly and clearly and clearly and can be understood
distinctly all (100- distinctly all (95 - distinctly most (80 less than 50% of the
95%) the time, and 80%) the time, and to 50%) of the time. time. Very little use
facial expressions facial expressions Facial expressions of facial expressions
and body language and body language and body language or body language.
generate a strong sometimes are used to try to Did not generate
interest and generate a strong generate some much interest in
enthusiasm about interest and enthusiasm. topic being
the topic in others. enthusiasm about presented.
the topic in others.
Use of Class Time Used time well Used time well Used some of the Did not use class
during each class during each class time well during time to focus on the
period. Focused on period. Usually each class period. project OR often
getting the project focused on getting There was some distracted others.
done. Never the project done focus on getting the
distracted others. and never project done but
distracted others. occasionally
distracted others.
Poster Design Several of the One or two of the The graphics are No graphics made
graphics used on graphics used on made by the by the student are
the poster reflect the poster reflect student, but are included.
an exceptional student creativity in based on the
degree of student their creation designs or ideas of
creativity in their and/or display. others.
creation and/or
display.
If you finish your research and presentation preparation early, here are some websites to check out!

Hurricane game:
http://www.fema.gov/kidsApps/quiz_truefalse_questions.do?quiz=quiz_hurricanenameiq&action=init

Tornado jokes:
http://www.juliantrubin.com/tornadojokes.html

Earthquake word search:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/wordsearch/eqterms.php

Tsunami word search:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/wordsearch/tsunamis.php

Volcano hangman:
http://www.studystack.com/hangman-109900