STAGING
How can you get ready for a big storm?

How can you get ready for a big storm?

Lesson narration:
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Hi! My name is JJ.

I just found out a thunderstorm is coming!

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Grandpa heard the weather woman talking about it on TV, but I already knew.

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I could tell because the sky is starting to look dark and scary.

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It’s getting cold and windy, too.

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My dog Muttley keeps sniffing the air.

Muttley always does that before a storm comes.

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Yesterday, the sky looked like this.

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Today, the sky looks like this.

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stop & talk

Stop & Talk

How has the sky changed?

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get up & move

Get Up & Move!

Get up and look outside.
What does the sky look like?
What is the weather like?

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Oops! I forgot to bring Muttley inside.

Now it’s raining, and Muttley is still playing outside.

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Muttley is a wet mess.

Time to go in the house and dry off.

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It’s raining hard now.

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I look out the window and cover my ears.

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Thunderstorms can be loud, but I’m not scared.

When you’re safe inside, storms can be fun to watch.

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Sometimes, when there's lots of wind and rain, the power goes out.

If the electricity goes off, the lights go out. The TV goes out. The stove stops working, too.

That means we can’t cook…or play video games.

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We need to get ready, but how can I help?

I know!

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Let’s look in that big old chest of drawers in the garage.

There’s a lot of good stuff in there.

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stop & talk Stop & Talk: Do you see anything in the drawer that might be helpful during a storm?

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Look! We can use candles for light.

Matches can light a fire.

The flashlight will help, too.

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Grandpa starts a fire in the fireplace.

He tells funny stories.

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We roast marshmallows over the fire to make s’mores.

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Outside, it’s wet and cold and windy.

Inside, we’re safe and warm.

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Muttley falls asleep.

Muttley snores.

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It’s time for bed.

Grandpa and I snuggle together and watch the storm.

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Tomorrow I’ll play in the puddles.

THE END

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Step
01/13
Meet Anton. He lives near a beach in Florida. Sometimes there are
hurricanes like this one. It rains and the wind blows hard! Giant waves
crash onto the land. But Anton isn’t worried.
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Step
02/13
To get ready for the storm, Anton checks his family’s hurricane
supply kit to make sure they have everything they need. Take a look.
Discuss:
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Step
03/13
Now it’s time to pretend. You are going to help get Anton’s house
ready for a hurricane. Stand up and make sure you have some space
to move around.
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Step
04/13
Each window on Anton’s house has storm shutters to protect the
glass from the wind. You are going to close those shutters on every
window. First, watch how to do it. Now it’s your turn.
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Step
05/13
Sara lives in Texas, where there are tornados. A tornado is a powerful
swirling wind. Sarah gets a warning when a tornado is nearby. Listen!
That siren means a tornado is coming!
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Step
06/13
If Sara's at home when she hears the siren, she goes down into the
basement where it’s safe. If she's not at home, she finds a protected
spot where she can hide — maybe under a desk or table. Discuss:
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Step
07/13
We’re going to practice what to do if a tornado is nearby. When you
hear the siren, stand up, then pretend to hide under a table.
The table is pretend, but you really curl up, just like Sara.
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Step
08/13
Russell lives in Minnesota, where there are blizzards, storms with lots
and lots of snow. The weather report on Russell’s computer warns
Russell when a blizzard is on the way.
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Step
09/13
Once the snow is falling, Russell and his family will stay inside where
it’s warm! Think about what they might need while they are waiting
for the snow to stop. Discuss:
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Step
10/13
We thought everything in the picture could be useful in a blizzard —
except the swimsuit! It’s really important to have clothes that keep
you warm, food to eat, and water to drink.
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Step
11/13
Sometimes in a big storm, the electricity goes out! If that happens,
Russell’s dad builds a fire to keep the house warm. He’ll need
firewood! Let’s pretend to get some! Stand up and get ready!
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Step
12/13
It’s time to pretend. Pick up firewood and put it in your arms, like this.
One stick, two sticks, three sticks, four sticks, five sticks! Carry the
wood to the fireplace so it’s there when you need it!
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Step
13/13
Now you’ve learned about three different kinds of storms:
hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. And now you know how to get
ready for those storms so you can stay safe. Discuss:
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weather


1 of 11

what the air is like at a particular time and place
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rain


2 of 11

water drops that fall from clouds
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snow


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solid water that falls from the sky when it's very cold outside
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wind


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moving air
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storm


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weather that usually includes strong wind and rain or snow
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lightning


6 of 11

a spark that causes a flash of light during a thunderstorm
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thunder


7 of 11

a rumbling sound during a storm, often after a flash of lightning
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tornado


8 of 11

a storm with very strong winds in the shape of a funnel
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hurricane


9 of 11

a storm with very strong winds
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blizzard


10 of 11

a storm with lots of snow and strong winds
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observe


11 of 11

to pay close attention to something
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Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep
THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON JULY 1, 2021. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this Read-Along lesson, students listen to an illustrated digital storybook with student participation. If you would prefer to read it aloud yourself, you can switch to the non-narrated version. In the story, JJ and his grandfather get ready for a big thunderstorm. In the activity, Get Ready for a Storm, students learn about other kinds of storms and act out ways to prepare for storms.
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