Everything Weather is a computer software program that I intend to integrate into a unit of study on weather. As part of this unit, my fourth grade students are required to research a natural disaster, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Students use print and electronic media to find the following essential elements of these storms: characteristics, effects, safety and preparation, and interesting facts. A graphic organizer is used to gather and record this key information. Finally, research is presented in the form of a Hyper Studio project.

My students have a broad range of literacy. Many of my students receive basic skill instruction to supplement class instruction. A few other students are learning English as their second language. Two students receive special education services in language arts. Several children read at or above the fourth grade level of fluency.

Everything Weather can be used by all of my students as a research tool. Information is presented with photographs, video clips and audio voice-overs of real life situations. The text utilizes bold key words, titles, and subtitles. Easy to interpret icons facilitate manipulation of the program. While several weather-related topics are available on this program, students can easily target information on hurricanes and tornadoes. For the purpose of this assignment, students will exclusively use content related to these storms. A class set of this software will be used in our school computer lab. The majority of students will work independently, however, special education students will be paired with higher readers.

Prior to this lesson, students will have a guided discovery lesson to become accustomed to navigating the program. In addition, students will have generated a list of questions to answer as they research information on storm characteristics, effects, safety and preparation and interesting facts. A graphic organizer will be provided for students to record their information.

After locating information on hurricanes or tornadoes presented in Everything Weather, students will record at least two pieces of research information for storm characteristics; effects; safety and preparation, and interesting facts.

Class set of Everything Weather CD-ROM

Student Handout: Essential Questions of Hurricanes or Tornadoes

LCD Projector

Computer Lab

1) Using a LCD projector, guide students through video clips and photographs of "Unforgettable" hurricanes and tornadoes from Everything Weather. Discuss following questions: What causes these amazing natural phenomena? How can knowing about severe weather help us stay safe? What happens after a hurricane or tornado is over?

2) Elicit from students that answers to these questions can be found in many places in Everything Weather. Have students show you where to record information on their research graphic organizers. (Categories include: hurricane/tornado characteristics, effects, safety and preparation, and interesting facts.)

3) Model using the main menu of software to locate Severe Weather. Have student volunteers demonstrate navigational tools such as icons; menus; video clips; scroll bars on text boxes; help; etc.

1. Assign students individual research topics: hurricanes or tornadoes. Two sets of students will be paired in a heterogeneous group to accommodate low fluency levels.
2. Wearing headsets, students will research answers to their essential questions on hurricanes and tornadoes. They will utilize video clips; narration of real life accounts; photographs; diagrams; and print information from the software.
3. Referring to the essential questions about their respective storm assignments, students will record answers on graphic organizers of research information.

1. Students will meet in teams according to their topic of research: hurricanes or tornadoes. A group recorder will be chosen.
2. Each group will brainstorm a list of resources of relevant information located in Everything Weather. Students will discuss where and how to access information relevant to their research.
3. Each student will set a goal for their next research session based upon the group's list. For instance, a student who mainly used print information during this session could analyze diagrams , photographs, and charts next time.

1. Students will supplement their Everything Weather research notes with information from Encarta; Internet; books; magazines and encyclopedias.
2. Upon completion of essential questions, students will draft information into paragraphs with main idea sentences and supporting details.
3. Revised drafts will be typed on ClarisWorks.
4. Students will be instructed in creating text boxes and illustrations on Hyper Studio.
5. Text from ClarisWorks will be cut and pasted into text boxes in Hyper Studio.
6. Students will design and implement a Hyper Studio Project to present their research projects.

Students will be assessed based on the following: participation in discussion of storms and demonstration of software; teacher observation of independent use of software; completion of graphic organizer with two details per category.

Long term evaluation will be based on research information drafted in paragraphs and Hyper Studio projects.