W is for Wind
W is for Wind
A Weather Alphabet
Written by Pat Michaels
Illustrated by Melanie Rose
Website created by Sarah Neuhalfen
Book's Intended Age: 9-12
Summary of the Book
W is for Wind is a weather alphabet book that teaches students about many aspects of weather, Earth's environment, and many topics related to our climate. Each letter of the alphabet stands for a weather condition and provides facts for students. They will learn about everything from the atmosphere and barometers, to X-rays and zero degree temperatures. Students will enjoy learning about topics they read in this book because each theme has a poem, followed by a more in depth look at the topic. Younger students will enjoy the short poems, while older students can read the descriptive sections about weather.
About the
Author 
Pat Michaels began a broadcasting career at a radio station when he was 15 years old. He became fascinated with weather when the radio station was knocked off the air by lightening. He has since tracked storms as a meteorologist and has even reported from inside Hurricane Bertha in Florida! He moved to Michigan, where he was the chief meteorologist at WLNS in Lansing. Pat now lives in Orlando, Florida and enjoys talking to students at school about weather and television forcasting.
Prereading
Before reading, create a KWL chart about types of weather.
Story of the Seasons
What is your favorite season? Write a story about an activity you enjoy
during your favorite season of the year. Write a draft on notebook paper, then use this link
for paper to print and use to publish your final copy. (10-15 sentences)
While You
Read 
Use this website to learn about the different types of clouds.
Write each type of cloud and the altitude of each type (there are 8 types in all).
After reading through this page, play the "Cloud Matching Game" for review.
F is for Funnel Cloud & T is for Tornado!
What causes funnel clouds? What is the difference between a funnel cloud and a tornado?
Use the "Tornadoes" section on this website to learn more about these two types of weather.
How in the World do Tornadoes Form?
After visiting the website, use the information from the book and website to write
five new things that you learned about funnel clouds and tornadoes.
After You Read
Fill in the blanks in this puzzle that is all about weather!
(Print the puzzle first.)
What do you know about weather?
Complete this worksheet using what you learned in W is for Wind.
You may use your book if you need to. (Print the worksheet first.)
**Assess Your Progress**
When you have finished all activities, organize your work in order
of completion and staple the pages together. Be sure to double check your work.
Print this rubric to assess your activities.
More Activities that relate to the book- Guide written by Cheryl K. Grinn