Today’s Walking Classroom podcast focuses on hurricanes and the potential dangers they pose. Also called cyclones or typhoons, these immense storms can cause major damage if they hit land. Much of the damage is caused by strong winds and storm surge, which occurs when ocean water comes ashore and causes massive flooding. Because a hurricane needs the energy produced by warm ocean water to feed the storm system, most North American hurricanes occur in the late summer to early autumn.
Character Value: Bravery
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4
Next Generation Science Standards
PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 3-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-2, 3-ESS3-1, 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS3-2, 5-ESS2-1Middle School: MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-2
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Hurricanes Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Hurricanes Slide Deck
Explains why hurricanes are named.
Presents an overview of hurricane science.
Presents information on the various types of severe weather.
Take a virtual tour of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, and visit a number of different locations within the facility.
Learn all about hurricanes through research and activities from Mensa for Kids.
Learn more about hurricanes with this free packet of printables from Super Teacher Worksheets.
Learn how hurricanes work and make your own in this hands-on activity from Bright Hub Education.