Twisters in a jar

The class will discuss the motion, causes and effects of a tornado. The student will also be able to name the safety steps one should take when a tornado occurs.

A lesson plan for grade 1 Science

By Andrea Allen

Learn more

• National Weather Service tornado information website

Related pages

• Weathering the water cycle: Evaporation: Students will learn that evaporation is one of the three stages of the water cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on condensation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.
• Rainy weather: This is the first lesson in a weather unit. This lesson consists of activities that help students understand the concept of rain.
• Weathering the water cycle: Condensation: This lesson introduces students to condensation as one phase of the water cycle. Through the use of the four lessons in this series students will learn that the water cycle is a continuous cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Related topics

• Learn more about hands-on, labs, meteorology, read-alouds, science, tornados, and weather.

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Learning outcomes

To demonstrate the motion, causes and effects of a tornado. Also to demonstrate the safety steps one should take during a tornado.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

60 minutes

Materials/resources

Materials per child:

• one clear baby food jar with lid
• one toothpick
• one teaspoon-sized measuring spoon

Other materials:

• water
• five liquid measuring cups
• five small cups of liquid soap
• salt
• Tornado Alert by Robert James

Pre-activities

• Discuss the different types of weather.
• Discuss the concept of a tornado.

Activities

1. Show students a large tornado in a bottle. This is made by fitting two 2-liter bottles together by their necks. One bottle is filled with blue water. Turn the bottles upside down, and watch as a tornado shape within the water appears. Discuss the students’ responses to this demonstration. Explain that today they are going to learn about tornadoes and what one should do in case one occurs.
2. Read story Tornado Alert by Robert James, (or another appropriate tornado/weather resource book). Ask students the following questions:
   • What makes a tornado?
   • What kind of cloud does a tornado come from?
   • What is the weather like when tornadoes occur?
   • Where do most tornadoes occur?
   • What would it be like if more tornadoes occurred where we live?
   • What should you do when a tornado occurs?

   (During this time, students should walk through the steps to take during a tornado drill.)

3. After discussing the answers to each of these questions, explain that students are now ready to make their own tornado in a jar. This is an activity that works well if done at tables with 4–5 students per table.
   • Have students fill their jars with ¹/₃ cup of water.
   • Next students add one teaspoon of salt to water.
   • Using a toothpick, students add one drop of liquid soap to water.
   • Students then need to place and tighten lid to jar.
   • Instruct students to shake or turn their jars in a circular motion, while holding on to the top of their jar. Students should then observe a tornado shape within their jar.
4. As closure for the lesson, review causes of tornadoes and steps to take when one occurs.

Assessment

• Teacher observation of “Twisters In A Jar” activity and completed “Twisters.”
• Students’ answers to comprehension questions from story.
• Teacher observation of students’ actions during tornado drill.

Supplemental information

Comments

This lesson was part of a unit of study on weather, which my class did during National Weather Awareness Week.