Weather

This Wilostar3D virtual world homeschooling weather module introduces students to basic weather phenomena. They will learn about the different fronts and the weather associated with them. They build weather tools and learn to use them. Students also complete an in-depth study of hurricanes using actual hurricane data to prepare a newspaper. The students take on different roles such as hurricane specialist, natural hazards planner, and meteorologist to prepare the newspaper.

The students will also be reading Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson and completing activities based on the book.

Objectives

  •  Students will gain understanding of meteorology
  • Students will identify and understand warm and cold fronts.
  • Students will recognize weather associated with passing warm and cold fronts.
  • Students will prepare a weather station for use.
  • Students will gain an understanding of hurricanes.
  • Students will learn about the dangers of hurricanes.
  • Students will prepare a newspaper based on an actual hurricane.
  • Students will understand how and where hurricanes form.
  • Students will learn to track a hurricane .Students will learn how to prepare for a hurricane.
  • Students will understand how hurricanes are named.

Assessment

Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio CD's at the end of the school year to document progress and student growth.

WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These include:

Daily assignments
Hurricane Newspaper
Online Weather Quiz

Module Resources

Order Items 1,2,3,5 from this page .

Isaac's Storm : A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest
Hurricane in History

Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones

1001 Questions Answered About Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Other Natural Air Disasters
by Barbara Tufty