Week 5: How Do People Protect Themselves from Weather?
Weekly Focus
Children explore weather safety and protection strategies, learn about emergency preparedness, understand the motto "Be prepared; not scared," and discover how people protect themselves and their belongings from different weather conditions including severe weather.
Week at a Glance
Daily themes for Week 5
- MondayWeather Safety Stories
- TuesdayProtection Strategies
- WednesdayEmergency Preparedness
- ThursdayBuilding Shelters
- FridayUnit Celebration
Teacher Tip
Learning Objectives
- Understand the motto "Be prepared; not scared"
- Identify ways people protect themselves from weather
- Recognize severe weather safety practices
- Learn about emergency preparedness kits
- Practice building simple weather shelters
- Develop weather protection vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Materials Needed
- Weather safety books and videos
- Emergency kit supplies for demonstration
- Shelter building materials (boxes, fabric)
- Musical instruments for storm sounds
- Art supplies for safety drawings
- Chart paper and markers
- Weather protection clothing items
- Camera for documenting activities
Daily Plans
Monday: Weather Safety Stories
Focus Question
How do people protect themselves and their belongings from the weather?
Suggested Books
- "Clifford and the Big Storm" by Norman Bridwell
- "Storm Safety" by Christina Hill
- "Weather Safety Rules" by Martin Gitlin
Morning Circle - Introducing the Motto
Post the motto "Be prepared; not scared" and read it with children. Explain that being ready for weather helps us feel safe instead of worried. Discuss situations where preparation helps people stay safe (storms, hurricanes, fires).
Teacher Tip: Emphasize positive preparation rather than creating fear about severe weather events.
Read Aloud: "Clifford and the Big Storm"
Read the story and pause to discuss how characters prepare for and stay safe during the storm. Ask children about their favorite parts and what they learned about weather safety.
"Be Prepared; Not Scared" Art
Children draw pictures and write sentences showing the motto "Be prepared; not scared." They can draw people preparing for weather, families working together, or safety activities.
Extension: Display artwork around the classroom with the motto as a visual reminder throughout the week.
Weather Protection Discussion
Show pictures of people in different weather conditions and discuss how they protect themselves. Talk about appropriate clothing, staying in safe places, and listening to weather warnings.
Closing Circle
Review the motto "Be prepared; not scared" and ask children to share one way people can prepare for weather. Create a class chart of weather protection strategies using shared writing.
Reflection Questions:
- What does "Be prepared; not scared" mean to you?
- How do people in your family prepare for bad weather?
- What makes you feel safe during storms?
Featured Activities
Emergency Kit Creation
Children learn about emergency preparedness by exploring a real emergency kit and creating their own drawings.
Weather Shelter Building
Hands-on engineering activity where children design and build model shelters to protect from different weather conditions.
Storm Sound Creation
Musical activity where children use instruments to recreate storm sounds and practice safety responses.
Weather Safety Role Play
Interactive scenarios where children practice appropriate responses to different weather conditions and emergencies.
Resources
Books
- "Clifford and the Big Storm" by Norman Bridwell
- "Storm Safety" by Christina Hill
- "Weather Safety Rules" by Martin Gitlin
- "Emergency Kit" by various authors
- "Being Prepared" by Cari Meister
Printables
- Emergency kit checklist for families
- Weather safety scenario cards
- Shelter building instruction templates
- "Be prepared; not scared" coloring pages
- Weather protection strategy cards
Home Connection
Send home a family emergency preparedness guide with the motto "Be prepared; not scared." Include a checklist for creating a family emergency kit and discussing weather safety at home.