Literary Sparks were created to address the needs of students to read both literary and informational texts, and to assist subject area teachers by providing ideas for standards-driven, cost-effective classroom activities.
Each grade level from K-12 has its own resource page that includes the standards addressed, text pairings, book discussion questions, and lesson plans for a classroom activity.
Standards Met
LANGUAGE ARTS FLORIDA STANDARDS:
LAFS.5.RI.2.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
LAFS.5.RI.3.9: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
LAFS.5.SL.1.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade Five topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
Follow agreed-upon rules of discussion and carry out assigned roles.
Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments to contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others.
Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussion.
SCIENCE STANDARDS:
LAFS.6.RL.1.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
LAFS.6.RI.1.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
SC.5.E.7.3:Recognize how air temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation determine the weather in a particular place and time.
SC.5.E.7.4: Distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.
SC.5.E.7.6:Describe characteristics (temperature and precipitation) of different climate zones as they relate to latitude, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water.
Jaden and her family and friends live in a time when massive, raging storms and tornadoes are the norm. By comparison, what types of extreme weather events do we experience today?
At certain points the main characters discuss the different weather conditions that cause storms to form and dissipate (such as on pages 49 and 52). What specific conditions do they mention?
How does Jaden discover what her father’s company is really up to?
On pp. 17-20 review air masses and what happens when they meet. How is this like the weather in Eye of the Storm?
On pp. 32 & 37, highlight the types of storms, especially the black band at the bottom that describes the world’s deadliest tornado on record. What is the most prominent type of storm in Eye of the Storm?
On pp. 38-45, review & discuss weather scientists, and techniques to map, model, and predict weather. How did the characters use these tools in Eye of the Storm?
Investigative Inquiry
Cloud in a Jar
Learning Outcomes Statement:
The Cloud in a Jar activity engages students in creating and examining a particular atmospheric phenomenon, which is also part of the water cycle. This will strengthen the core academic skills of creativity, innovation, and teamwork by having students connect ideas in new ways, observe and create unique products, and sharing responsibility. See examples of this activity here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehW_F94ifRY
We’ve been learning all about weather, including how things like temperature, pressure, and humidity affect the movement of water through our atmosphere. We don’t have a fancy storm simulator like they do in Eye of the Storm, but in today’s activity we do still get to make a simulation of a real phenomenon. We’re going to create and then observe our very own cloud. Let’s get started!
Activity Description
Select three volunteers to assist in the activity, as each component will need to come together quickly.
Remove the lid from the jar. Place the jar on a table or other flat surface. Have the first volunteer pour 1 - 2 inches of water into the jar. Lightly swirl the water around to help the jar heat up.
Have the second volunteer spray hairspray into the jar, while the third volunteer fills the upturned jar lid with 3 or 4 ice cubes (however many fit).
Have the third volunteer place the lid with ice cubes over the mouth of the jar, making sure it completely covers the opening.
Watch as a cloud forms in the jar!
Once the cloud has formed, either watch it slowly dissipate inside the jar, or release it into the air.
Questions for Feedback and Reflection
What is happening to make the cloud form? What role do you think each component (the water, the ice, etc.) is playing in the process?
What part of the water cycle does this experiment replicate?
When you added hot water to the jar, some of it evaporated and began moving around inside the jar in the form of an invisible vapor. The heat also warmed the air in the jar, which made it and the water vapor rise towards the top of the jar. When the warm air and vapor met the cold lid of the jar, the air became cooler. This made the water molecules slow down, which meant they could stick to each other more easily, so they began to condense into tiny droplets. The hairspray particles also helped this process, as water molecules bunch together more easily when they find a solid particle to attach to. So the water droplets and the hairspray made a cloud at the top of the jar, similarly to how they form in the sky.