Hurricane Sawyer blew into Charlton Heights to wreak havoc
I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll leaf blow your house down. Wait, what? That’s not how the story goes. This must be enrichment (PACE) teacher Carrie Sunkes’ unit about hurricanes!
For 10 weeks, Sunkes taught Charlton Heights (and Pashley and Stevens) students in grades 1 and 2 about hurricanes and weather using a combination of different tools. For example, students read a variety of literature and poems to get an in-depth and detailed understanding of the science behind hurricanes. They also incorporated math into their lessons by coordinating points to plot a hurricane’s destructive path. Then they used their new knowledge of hurricanes to draft their own blueprints of a storm-proof house.
The final project required students to build their hurricane-resistance model home and see if it could withstand a “hurricane.”
The students, working in small groups, were allowed to use two pieces of construction paper, an arm length of tape, 12 inches of aluminum foil, four straws, 12 inches of Saran Wrap and one paper plate for mounting. They were given 20 minutes to construct their model homes. Upon completion, their structures were duct taped to the table in preparation for the storm. Check out the photos of students working on their hurricane-resistant homes.
Once the houses were secured, the students held their breath and crossed their fingers as “Hurricane Sawyer” (Board of Education President Peter Sawyer) struck!
Hurricane Sawyer came in with heavy winds loosening the earth (in this case tape) and weakening structures. And, just like a real hurricane, the houses were given a brief break from the storm as the center of the hurricane–or the eye–passed through. The second passing resulted in stronger, more destructive winds. Was there anything left?