Read
Available through hoopla Digital
- Stormy by Alice K Flanagan: A very simple introduction to the phenomena of thunder and lightning and how they occur.
- Rain! by Linda Ashman : One rainy day in the city, an eager little boy exclaims, Rain! Across town a grumpy man grumbles, Rain.
- It's Raining, It's Pouring by Peter, Paul and Mary
Watch
One Thunder, Two Thunder, Three! Earth to Luna: Episode 4
Sing
Raindrops Fall
(tune: Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush)
I like to see the raindrops fall, the raindrops fall, the raindrops fall,
I like to see the raindrops fall on a stormy day. (fingers make raindrops)
I like to hear the thunderclap, the thunderclap, the thunderclap,
I like to hear the thunderclap on a stormy day. (clap hands)
I like to see the lightning flash, the lightning flash, the lightning flash
I like to see the lightning flash on a stormy day. (make zapping and snapping sounds)
Cows in the Meadow
Cows in the meadow,
Take a little nap. (Pretend to sleep.)
Thunder! (Stamp your feet.)
Lightning! (Clap your hands!)
Jump up and clap! (Jump to your feet and clap.)
(Repeat and change last line to “Time to Nap!”)
Developmental Tip:
The physical movement in the rhyme increases the child’s awareness of rhythm in language.
Activity
After the storm has passed, put on your rainboots (or shoes) and go for a nature walk.
(Take a brown bag or sandwich baggie to collect found items.)
How many puddles do you see? Big puddles? Little puddles? (splash in the little puddles!)
Can you spy a worm? a bug? A bird? Something shiny?
Did the storm cause any damage? Broken twigs from a tree? Leaves? A mystery item?
Collect several items to use to make a collage when you go back inside.
(Supplies needed: tape or glue or contact paper and blank paper.)
More Books
Books on Hoopla
- Hate That Thunder! by William J Adams
- Lightning and Thunder by Paula Johnson
- Rain by Alice Flanagan: Simple text describes rain, its characteristics, how it is formed, and its effects on the Earth.
Books on Overdrive/Libby (note: These titles may have a waiting list.)
- Itsy Bitsy Spider by Charles Reasoner
- Rainy Day: A Little Moral about Worry by Dan Yaccarino
- A Party for Clouds: Thunderstorms by Belinda Jensen
Keep Learning
For more in-depth information on severe weather, check out the Great Courses: Science of Extreme Weather available on Kanopy. Here is a link to Episode 7: Anatomy of a Lightning Strike.
Reserve other materials to pick up at the library:
- Boom! by Mary Lyn Ray
- The Big Storm: A Very Soggy Counting Book by Nancy Tafuri
- Bill Nye the Science Guy: Storms