“Night of the Twister”

Reading strategies are used to introduce a literary work.

A lesson plan for grades 4–5 English Language Arts and Science

By Authurice Mitchell

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• Learn more about English language arts, meteorology, reading, and science.

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Learning outcomes

To introduce the story, “Night of the Twister” through the use of various techniques.

To increase comprehension through the use of various strategies.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 days

Materials/resources

• markerboard/flip chart
• markers
• periodicals
• textbooks
• reference materials
• World and U.S. maps

Technology resources

• overhead projector
• encyclopedia software
• television
• VCR
• Twister video tape
• stormy music
• tape or CD player

Pre-activities

• The K-W-L tool will be used to introduce the catastrophe theme.
• The students are placed in two groups for research purposes.
• The students are to assemble a wall display on natural and human catastrophes using magazines, newspapers, personal photos, and reference materials.

Activities

1. The students will be divided into five groups. To further explore the theme, they will use the fishbone quality tool to name the five major natural catastrophes and name films/books about each, give synonymous name for each, describe each, list causes and effects of each, give safety measures for each, and name the most prone areas.
2. The vocabulary will be introduced in a passage on the overhead. The students will use context clues to figure out word meanings. The students will be invited to discuss what they think is happening in the story. (This is the lead-in to the story.)
3. The students will make inferences and predictions from the title and illustrations of the story as they skim through the story.
4. The teacher will inform the students of the setting of the story and have them locate the place on the map. From their previous research, students will probably remember that the setting is in tornado alley.
5. The students will read the story independently. (They can read half of it or all, depending on the class.) (Context clues will be used.)
6. Students will describe the mood of the story and find phrases to support the descriptions.
7. The teacher will guide the students in discovering how story details and personal experiences can help them draw conclusions about events in the story.
8. The teacher will model on the overhead how to use a graphic organizer to evaluate one of the character’s problem-solving abilities. Guided by the teacher, the students will become aware of whether the character thought of all of the consequences of the decision made.
9. The students will use a graphic organizer to show cause-effect relationships and discover that multiple effects can occur.
10. Create a tornado in a bottle experiment with the students. (Review the scientific method and the process skills.)
11. Have the students evaluate how realistic the selection is and whether or not the author has made the story suspenseful.

Assessment

Oral discussions, literature circles, written test, artwork, research and group activities will be used.

Supplemental information

• The Eyes of the Storm: Belmond, Iowa by Norma Jension, recalls the 1966 Homecoming Day Tornado
• Stormy music: Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony (storm movement)

Comments

This lesson provides integrated learning, various teaching tools, and comprehension strategies.