You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Extreme Weather!

General Info:

Title: You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Extreme Weather! By Roger Canavan

• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Publish Date: 2015
• This book, intended as an informative reference guide for young learners, includes helpful information on the causes and benefits of extreme weather, as well as safety and preparedness tips if you find yourself caught in an extreme weather situation. Information is organized according to the type of weather, and facts about that weather type can be found in small paragraphs accompanied by fun illustrations, making this book an appropriate resource for students in grades 3-5. The information is neatly organized and engaging for students as they learn about the causes of weather systems and how to remain healthy in extreme weather situations, distinguishing this book as the best weather safety reference from upper elementary aged students. This could be integrated into a science unit related to weather systems around the world.
• In the section of this book concerning heat waves, this important heat safety tip is included: “You need water if you’re out in the heat, especially if you are exercising. Dehydration (loss of fluid from the body) can be dangerous.” (pg. 15).
  Another temperature tip is included on the page about extremely cold climates: “You can stay warmer in cold weather by wearing several layers of light clothing, rather than one thick layer. The extra layers trap your body’s warmth more effectively because there is more air between the layers- and air is one of the best insulators.” (pg. 17).

Core integration:

• Science integration: As mentioned above, You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Extreme Weather! could be integrated smoothly into a science unit related to weather systems. As part of Next Generation Science Standards, 3rd grade students are expected to obtain information to describe climates in various parts of the world. This book includes helpful information about extreme weather situations that are results of diverse climates around the globe. As students apply their science exploration of weather systems on a global scale to meet this science standard, this book serves as a helpful resource both to introduce new weather phenomena, and to provide safety tips for dealing with a range of weather situations.
• Integration Activity: Although there is no worksheet created online for this book, I would assign groups of students a weather phenomena and allow them time to use this book to explore regions of the world where their assigned phenomena takes place, the causes for or uses of it, and safety tips for experiencing that weather system. This could serve as an introduction to a weather science unit, or a supplemental assignment at the close of a science unit to connect acquired knowledge to practical safety application.

Standards:

• NGSS: 3-ESS2-2 Earth’s Systems: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
• NHES 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
  • S1.5.11: Identify safety precautions for playing and working outdoors in different kinds of weather and climates.
    • HBO 3: Use safety equipment appropriately and correctly.
    • HBO 4: Apply safety rules and procedures to avoid risky behaviors and injuries.
    • HBO 5: Avoid safety hazards in the home and in the community.
    • HBO 6: Recognize and avoid dangerous surroundings.
    • HBO 8: Support others to avoid risky behaviors and be safe.