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⚡ “It’s bonkers, right?!” 🌀 Teek and Tom explore how the ocean influences weather and climate to the EXTREME, causing weather events like hurricanes, thunderstorms, and floods; and climate trends, such as more or less rain than normal during a season. Looking down at the jet stream — Earth’s storm highway — from space, the two discuss how the patterns of warm water in the ocean determine where extreme weather events can form…or not. (Episode transcript - English)
The following lesson plans — developed for students at the fourth through sixth grade levels — supplement this episode of Teek and Tom. The lessons allow students to build knowledge of and skills associated with important Earth science concepts. Through the exploration and investigation of NOAA data, visualizations, and content, the lessons support the videos in telling a cohesive story of key Earth systems, and how those systems impact each other.
Each lesson is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, national standards for math, national standards for English and language arts, as well as the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies Standards. These standards reinforce the interdisciplinary nature of ocean, weather, and climate studies, and support the teaching of these topics. The lessons engage students in content that is locally relevant and use the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) to provide a structure for students to connect science ideas with their own experiences and apply their learning to new contexts.
Explore each lesson plan or download the entire Educator’s Guide to learn how Teek and Tom can enhance your students’ learning!
Students are introduced to atmospheric rivers, and investigate weather events that are powered by the atmosphere and moisture from the ocean through “recipes” for thunderstorms, snow storms, lake effect snow, and rain shadows.
Students learn about atmospheric conditions needed to form tornadoes and hurricanes, and review a climate extreme map to find if weather extremes might impact their local area.
