Unit Plan 23 (Grade 3 Science): Weather-Related Hazards
Investigate major weather hazards and evaluate design solutions—like levees, fire breaks, and warning systems—to understand how communities reduce danger and stay safe.
Focus: Investigate weather-related hazards (thunderstorms, floods, droughts, hurricanes, wildfires) and evaluate design solutions that reduce their impacts.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Engineering/Design)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students explore dangerous weather events and how communities prepare for and respond to them. Through short texts, videos, diagrams, and simple models, they examine what makes hazards like thunderstorms, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires dangerous. Students then look at real design solutions (levees, dams, warning systems, fire breaks, building codes) and practice making claims about which solutions are effective and why, using simple evidence.
Essential Questions
- What makes a weather-related hazard (like floods or wildfires) dangerous for people and communities?
- How can design solutions help reduce the damage caused by hazardous weather?
- What makes one solution better than another for keeping people and property safe?
- How can we use evidence (pictures, data, stories) to support a claim about a safety solution?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe at least three weather-related hazards and the types of damage they can cause.
- Match each hazard to at least one design solution that helps reduce its impact (e.g., levees for floods, fire breaks for wildfires).
- Analyze simple pictures, diagrams, or short texts to gather evidence about how well a solution works.
- Make a claim about the merit (strengths) of a design solution and support it with at least two pieces of evidence.
- Create a Weather Hazard Safety Poster or mini-presentation that explains the hazard, the chosen solution, and why it is effective using kid-friendly language.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)
- 3-ESS3-1 — Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.
- Example: Evaluate how a flood wall or storm drain system helps protect a town from flooding, using photos or simple data.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name and describe several weather-related hazards and what harm they can cause.
- I can match a hazard (like a flood or wildfire) with at least one design solution that helps protect people.
- I can use evidence from pictures, maps, or stories to explain how well a solution works.
- I can write or say a clear claim about which solution is good and give reasons using evidence.
- I can create a poster or talk that teaches others about a hazard and how people can get ready or stay safe.