The activities in this KS2 resource pack are based on the article ‘20 Epic Facts About Storms!’ from issue 20 of Animal Planet magazine (included). There are opportunities to develop comprehension and writing skills using the resources provided.
Pupils will learn fascinating facts about storms that have occurred around the world. They will locate where some of these storms took place on a world map provided in the resource pack and choose their top five facts from the article, explaining their decisions.
The writing task asks pupils to imagine that there is a storm approaching. They will produce a piece of writing, recounting what happens during the storm, which could be written in the form of a story or diary. They can use information from the article to help them describe the storm.
Teachers’ notes are included, with suggested activities to develop the unit further.
This resource pack includes:
- Copy of the Animal Planet article ’20 Epic Facts About Storms!’
- Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
- Top five facts worksheet
- Where in the world? worksheet
- Writing prompt
- Recount planning sheet
- Themed writing paper
- Teaching notes
What is Animal Planet magazine?
This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.
To find out more, and register your interest in a school subscription, visit the Animal Planet magazine website.
National Curriculum Programme of Study Links
Reading
Pupils should develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by listening to and discussing a wide range of … non-fiction
Pupils should understand what they read by
-checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.
- asking questions to improve their understanding of the text.
Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
Writing
- Pupils should plan their writing by discussing and recording ideas (years 5 and 6 also by drawing on research where necessary)
Years 3 and 4
- Pupils should draft and write by
- organising paragraphs around a theme
- composing and rehearsing sentences orally, progressively building a varied and rich vocabulary and an increasing range of sentence structures.
Years 5 and 6
- Pupils should draft and write by
- selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices can change an enhance meaning
- using a wider range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs
Geography
- Pupils should be taught to use maps, atlases, globes and a digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe the features studied.