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Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Earth and Human Activity

Ask Questions About Severe Weather

Let's learn about big storms and how asking questions keeps us safe!

Explore the lesson 7 min read
A microscope with leaf and experiment flask for elementary science discovery
Inside this lesson 10 sections 5 questions 5 figures

SECTION 1

Why Do People Watch the Weather?

People have always watched the sky. They wanted to stay safe from big storms.

Long ago, people did not have TVs or phones. They had to look at the clouds and wind to know if a storm was coming!

Long Ago • People Watched the Sky

Farmers looked at clouds every day. Dark clouds meant rain was coming.

1800s • Weather Tools Were Made

People made tools to measure rain and wind. That means they could count how much rain fell!

Today • Weather Helpers Keep Us Safe

Now we have weather helpers on TV. They tell us when big storms are coming so we can get ready.

Today, we ask questions about storms. Asking questions helps us learn and stay safe. What do you wonder about storms?

SECTION 2

What Is Severe Weather?

Severe weather means really big, strong weather. That means storms that can be scary or even dangerous.

Scientists ask lots of questions to learn about these storms. You can ask questions too!

1

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms have loud thunder and bright lightning. That means you see a flash and hear a BOOM!
2

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are spinning wind that comes down from the sky. That means the wind goes around and around very fast.
3

Blizzards

Blizzards are snowstorms with very strong wind. That means lots of snow blows all around.
4

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are huge storms over the ocean with lots of rain and wind. That means big waves and heavy rain.
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KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of it like this: regular weather is like a gentle bath. Severe weather is like when the bath water splashes everywhere! It is much stronger and bigger than normal weather.

SECTION 3

What Do Severe Storms Look Like?

Let's look at a picture of different kinds of severe weather. Each storm looks and sounds different!

Types of Severe WeatherThunderstormThunder + LightningTornadoSpinning WindBlizzardSnow + Strong WindHurricaneRain + Big Wind🌟 Anchoring PhenomenonA family sees dark clouds and hears loud thunder.What questions can we ask to stay safe?Questions Scientists Ask:What will happen next?How can we prepare?Where should we go?
This picture shows four kinds of severe weather. Each one looks different. A thunderstorm has lightning. A tornado has spinning wind. A blizzard has lots of snow. A hurricane has swirling rain and wind.

Our anchoring phenomenon is this: A family is outside and sees dark clouds. They hear loud thunder. What questions should they ask? Let's find out!

SECTION 4

How Do We Ask Good Questions?

Scientists ask questions to learn about storms. You are a scientist too! You ask questions every day.

When we see or hear something about weather, we can observe it. That means we look carefully and listen. Then we ask a question about what we noticed.

How Scientists Ask Questions About StormsStep 1: OBSERVELook and listen carefully!Step 2: WONDERThink about what you noticed.Step 3: ASKAsk your question out loud!Step 4: LEARNFind an answer to stay safe!👀🤔❓💡"I see dark clouds.""Is a storm coming?""What should we do?""Go inside to be safe!"Crosscutting Concept: Cause and EffectDark clouds (cause) → Storm may come (effect). Questions help us find the pattern!
This flowchart shows four steps that scientists use. First, they observe. Then they wonder. Then they ask a question. Then they learn the answer!
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Science Practice

Scientists ask questions based on what they observe. That means they look at something, then ask "why?" or "what happens next?" You do this too!

SECTION 5

What Happens in Each Storm?

Each kind of severe weather is different. Let's look at what we can see, hear, and feel in each one.

StormWhat You SeeWhat You HearWhat You Feel
Thunderstorm ⛈️Dark clouds, bright flashes of lightningLoud thunder, heavy rainStrong wind, cold rain
Tornado 🌪️A spinning tube from the cloudsVery loud roaring soundVery strong pushing wind
Blizzard ❄️So much snow you cannot see farHowling windVery, very cold
Hurricane 🌀Huge waves, lots of rainLoud wind and rainStrong wind and warm rain

What our senses tell us about severe weather

We use our senses to notice storms. That means we use our eyes, ears, and skin. What we notice helps us ask good questions!

ℹ

Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

Every storm has a cause and an effect. Dark clouds are a cause. Rain falling is an effect. We can ask: "What happens when we see dark clouds?"

SECTION 6

Let's Practice Asking Questions!

Let's pretend we are outside. We see very dark clouds and feel strong wind. Let's practice asking questions like a scientist!

Asking Questions About a Thunderstorm

  1. 1

    Step 1 — Observe

    First, we look and listen. We see dark clouds. We feel strong wind. We hear a rumble far away.
    I see dark clouds and feel wind!
  2. 2

    Step 2 — Wonder

    Now we think about what we noticed. Dark clouds and wind might mean a storm is coming. What do we want to know?
    I wonder if a storm is coming.
  3. 3

    Step 3 — Ask a Question

    We turn our wonder into a question! A good question starts with what, why, how, or where.
    "What should we do if a thunderstorm comes?"
  4. 4

    Step 4 — Find an Answer

    We can ask a grown-up! They tell us: "Go inside a building. Stay away from windows." Now we know how to stay safe.
    Go inside to stay safe from a thunderstorm!
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GREAT JOB!

You just asked a question like a real scientist! Asking "what should we do?" is one of the best questions to ask about severe weather. It helps you and your family stay safe.

SECTION 7

How Do Questions Keep Us Safe?

Asking questions about severe weather helps people prepare. That means they get ready before the storm comes.

Good Questions to AskHow It Helps
"Is a storm coming?"We can get ready before it starts.
"Where should we go?"We can find a safe place inside.
"What should we bring?"We can get a flashlight and water.
"When will the storm end?"We know when it is safe to go outside again.

Questions and how they help us stay safe

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KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of asking questions like packing a bag for a trip. Before you go, you ask: "What do I need?" Before a storm, we ask: "How do we get ready?" Questions help us plan and stay safe!

SECTION 8

Asking More Questions as We Grow

Right now, you are learning to ask questions about severe weather. As you get bigger, you will learn even more!

What You Learn NowWhat You Learn Later
Name different kinds of stormsLearn what causes each storm
Ask questions about stormsTest ideas about weather
Know storms can be dangerousLearn how people build things to handle storms

Your learning journey

Every question you ask now helps you become a better scientist later. Keep asking! Keep wondering! You are doing amazing.

SECTION 9

Practice: Asking Questions About Storms

Read the story below. Then try the questions! A new scenario: You are at school. You look outside the window and see lots and lots of snow falling. The wind is blowing very hard. Your teacher says it is a blizzard.

Question 1: CONCEPTUAL

What is the first thing a scientist does when they see a storm? A) Run away. B) Observe—look and listen carefully. C) Go to sleep.
Show answer
The answer is B. A scientist observes first. That means they look and listen carefully. They notice what is happening. Then they can ask a good question!

Question 2: BASIC

You see lots of snow and feel strong wind. What kind of severe weather is this? A) A hurricane. B) A blizzard. C) A thunderstorm.
Show answer
The answer is B. A blizzard is a snowstorm with very strong wind. You can see lots of snow and feel cold wind during a blizzard. Hurricanes have rain and warm wind. Thunderstorms have lightning and thunder.

Question 3: INTERMEDIATE

Which question would help you stay safe during the blizzard at school? A) What is my favorite color? B) Where should we go to be safe? C) What did I eat for breakfast?
Show answer
The answer is B. Asking "Where should we go to be safe?" is a great question! It helps you find a safe place inside. The other questions are not about the storm. Good questions about weather help us prepare and stay safe.

Question 4: APPLIED

Your friend is scared of the blizzard. What question could you help them ask a grown-up? A) When will the snow stop? B) Can we go play in the snow right now? C) Why is the sky blue?
Show answer
The answer is A. Asking "When will the snow stop?" helps your friend feel better. A grown-up can check the weather and tell you when the storm will end. Playing outside in a blizzard is not safe. Knowing the sky is blue does not help with the storm.

Question 5: CRITICAL THINKING

Think and Share: Imagine you are at home and you hear that a big storm is coming. What are two questions you would ask a grown-up? Why would those questions help you?
Show answer
Great answers might include questions like: "What kind of storm is coming?" and "What do we need to do to stay safe?" These questions help because the first one tells you what to expect. The second one tells you how to prepare. There are many good answers! Every question that helps you understand the storm and stay safe is a wonderful question.

SUMMARY

What Did We Learn?

Summary

We learned that severe weather means really big, strong storms like thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and hurricanes. We can observe storms by looking and listening. Then we ask questions to learn more and stay safe.

Good questions about storms include "What should we do?" and "Where should we go?" Asking questions is what scientists do! Every question you ask makes you a better scientist. Keep being curious and stay safe! 🌟

Varsity Tutors • Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Ask Questions About Severe Weather