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What Makes a Tornado Twist?: And Other Questions about Weather (Good Question!) by Carson, Mary Kay (July 1, 2014) Paperback
Is each snowflake unique? What comes thunder or lightning? What causes the seasons? Charming illustrations, clever charts, and fun text help kids learn whatever they want to know about wild weather. No matter their question, the fascinating answers are right here!
- GenresChildrens
Unknown Binding
8 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kay Carson
110 books44 followersMary Kay Carson is an award-winning children’s nonfiction author. She has written more than thirty books for young people about wildlife, space, weather, nature, and history. Her recent non-fiction titles include Emi and the Rhino Scientist, about the Cincinnati Zoo's famous rhino mom; Exploring the Solar System, recipient of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Children’s Literature Award; The Wright Brothers for Kids; Inside Tornadoes; and the Far-Out Guide to the Solar System series. The author also gives presentations at schools and libraries about space, animals, history, and writing.
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June 26, 2015 Twin Text
Just a Big Storm
By Mercer Mayer
Published 2013
Rationale for Twin Texts Selection
The students are learning about weather, so we will be looking at two books about weather. The non-fiction book asks several questions about weather and then answers them. This a great book to learn about the weather and what happens. It is formatted in a great way for children because they are always asking why just like the book. The other book, Just a Big Storm, is a great addition to this lesson because it talks about what to do before a big storm and teaches the children some things they can do to prepare. It also shows that if they are prepared they don’t need to be scared and they should be safe. This is a good way to enhance the lesson by also adding weather preparedness.
Identify the Text Structure
This book starts out with a table of contents so if children have a specific subject they want to learn about they can look up the page number and go straight to it. The graphics vary; there are some diagrams to help students understand how different weather forms and its components. There are also drawings of different weather systems. The text is in a question/answer format so it is easy to follow. At the end, books/websites are given for more information. It also has an index to easily access information in the book.
Strategy and Application
We will start out activating prior knowledge. Students will brainstorm all the facts they know about weather, and each group shares one item from the brainstorm session. Next, I will ask the students what they want to learn about the weather to get them thinking about what we will encounter in the book. Then we will read the non-fiction book. The students will have a graphic organizer to fill out as they go along to make notes of the different weather phenomenon. Now we will look at the other book to help students learn what they should do if a storm is coming. This way they know what to expect weather wise and what to do in case of bad weather. Finally, we will make a plan of what to do prepare for bad weather.
Just a Big Storm
By Mercer Mayer
Published 2013
Rationale for Twin Texts Selection
The students are learning about weather, so we will be looking at two books about weather. The non-fiction book asks several questions about weather and then answers them. This a great book to learn about the weather and what happens. It is formatted in a great way for children because they are always asking why just like the book. The other book, Just a Big Storm, is a great addition to this lesson because it talks about what to do before a big storm and teaches the children some things they can do to prepare. It also shows that if they are prepared they don’t need to be scared and they should be safe. This is a good way to enhance the lesson by also adding weather preparedness.
Identify the Text Structure
This book starts out with a table of contents so if children have a specific subject they want to learn about they can look up the page number and go straight to it. The graphics vary; there are some diagrams to help students understand how different weather forms and its components. There are also drawings of different weather systems. The text is in a question/answer format so it is easy to follow. At the end, books/websites are given for more information. It also has an index to easily access information in the book.
Strategy and Application
We will start out activating prior knowledge. Students will brainstorm all the facts they know about weather, and each group shares one item from the brainstorm session. Next, I will ask the students what they want to learn about the weather to get them thinking about what we will encounter in the book. Then we will read the non-fiction book. The students will have a graphic organizer to fill out as they go along to make notes of the different weather phenomenon. Now we will look at the other book to help students learn what they should do if a storm is coming. This way they know what to expect weather wise and what to do in case of bad weather. Finally, we will make a plan of what to do prepare for bad weather.
March 22, 2015
INFO TEXT
This book was very fun and intriguing, even for me as an adult reader. People of all ages have questions about weather that are addressed in this book, such as "What causes the seasons?" and "What makes a tornado twist?" This book is written using very simple language that young readers can understand which makes it even more enjoyable. There are also pictures and diagrams that go along with the questions to help readers get a clarified understanding about different aspects of weather.
There are many uses for this book in the classroom. Teachers can read aloud the answers to different questions in the book, or students can read this book on their own. This book can be used to address the many misconceptions that children have about weather, and a teacher may even find that his or her understanding about weather isn't completely accurate. Students can use the questions and answers in this book as a starting point for a research project about weather. Teachers can also use this book to start talking with students about how different types of weather occur in different places around the world. One of the most helpful things in this book is a list of other books and websites on the last page that students or teachers can use to learn even more about weather.
This book was very fun and intriguing, even for me as an adult reader. People of all ages have questions about weather that are addressed in this book, such as "What causes the seasons?" and "What makes a tornado twist?" This book is written using very simple language that young readers can understand which makes it even more enjoyable. There are also pictures and diagrams that go along with the questions to help readers get a clarified understanding about different aspects of weather.
There are many uses for this book in the classroom. Teachers can read aloud the answers to different questions in the book, or students can read this book on their own. This book can be used to address the many misconceptions that children have about weather, and a teacher may even find that his or her understanding about weather isn't completely accurate. Students can use the questions and answers in this book as a starting point for a research project about weather. Teachers can also use this book to start talking with students about how different types of weather occur in different places around the world. One of the most helpful things in this book is a list of other books and websites on the last page that students or teachers can use to learn even more about weather.
March 26, 2020
A great addition to our weather unit!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews