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5th Grade  Lesson 45 minutes

Weather Whirlwinds: Stories in Every Season!

Sarah K
IH.1.b
NH.1.b
NH.2.b
NH.2.c
NH.3.c
+ 11 more
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Purpose

Students will engage in a dynamic storytelling activity that enhances their English language skills through real-world applications. By collaborating with peers to create weather-themed narratives, students will develop their ability to express ideas, communicate effectively, and master core academic content. This project fosters academic mindsets and learning strategies, encouraging students to view themselves as successful learners while applying their knowledge in creative, nonroutine ways.

Learning goals

Students will develop their ability to express ideas using new weather-related vocabulary and the simple past tense through storytelling. They will enhance their communication skills by tailoring their stories for their peers and providing constructive feedback. Learners will engage in collaborative interviews and story creation, fostering academic mindsets and the ability to apply knowledge in nonroutine ways. They will also build study skills and strategies to effectively manage tasks and maintain focus during collaborative activities.
Standards
  • IH.1.b - Analyze the main message or story line and some supporting details.
  • NH.1.b - Identify and recognize the main topic and some related information.
  • NH.2.b - Understand, answer, and ask a variety of questions.
  • NH.2.c - Engage in conversation by understanding and creating language that conveys authentic, personal meaning.
  • NH.3.c - Express their own authentic thoughts and preferences in culturally appropriate ways.
Competencies
  • Express Ideas - Select and develop my message (EXI.2)
  • Communicate effectively. - Students tailor their message for the intended audience.
  • Communicate effectively. - Students communicate complex concepts to others in both written and oral presentations.
  • Master core academic content - Students learn, remember, and recall facts relevant to a content area.
  • Master core academic content - Students know and are able to use the language specific to a content area.
  • Master core academic content - Students enjoy and are able to rise to challenges requiring them to apply knowledge in nonroutine ways.
  • Develop academic mindsets. - Students believe that hard work will pay off in increased knowledge and skills.
  • Develop academic mindsets. - Students see themselves as academic achievers and expect to succeed in their learning pursuits.
  • Develop academic mindsets. - Students readily engage in the construction of meaning and understanding through interaction with peers.
  • Learn how to learn. - Students know and can apply a variety of study skills and strategies to meet the demands of a task.
  • Learn how to learn. - Students delay gratification, refocus after distractions, and maintain momentum until they reach their goal.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a weather-themed storybook, complete with illustrations and narratives, which they will share with next year's class. Each pair will contribute a story that demonstrates their understanding and application of new vocabulary and past tense. This storybook will serve as a tangible product showcasing their learning and creativity, and as a resource for future students to learn about weather-related events and language.

Launch

Begin the lesson with a 'Weather Wonders Slide Show' featuring captivating images of extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and heat waves in the United States. As students view each image, prompt them to use new vocabulary to describe what they see, encouraging them to record these terms in their notebooks. This visual and interactive activity will spark curiosity and lay the foundation for the storytelling project by immersing students in the weather theme.

Exhibition

Students will host a "Weather Storybook Showcase" where they present their illustrated weather-themed stories to classmates, teachers, and family members. Each student will have a chance to read their story aloud, highlighting the vocabulary and past tense usage they incorporated. Attendees can leave positive feedback and comments on sticky notes, which will be collected and shared with the students. The showcase will conclude with a gallery walk, allowing students to explore and celebrate each other's work.