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Weather Hazards and Safe Solutions

Earth Science — Weather & Climate | Unit 1, Lesson 4 of 6

Grade: 3Duration: 45–55 minutesSubject: Earth Science
Floodwater around a homeRoof damaged by strong windLightning danger near an open field
NGSS 3-ESS3-1: Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.

Learning Objective

Students will match six visible impacts to weather hazards, compare solution cards, and defend which solution best reduces a chosen impact.

The Science

Hazard → impact → solution: A hazard is dangerous weather. An impact is the harm it causes. A solution is a structure, tool, or plan designed to reduce that harm.

Match the evidence.
Floodwater can enter homes. Strong wind can damage roofs, trees, and power lines.
Choose a specific solution.
Sandbags can slow shallow floodwater, while warnings give people time to prepare.
Compare merit.
A strong claim says how well each solution fits the exact impact, not only which card a student likes.

Image-Led Hazard Matching Game

Teacher directions: Cut apart the cards. Place all hazard cards face up. Give the student one impact card at a time. Ask: “Which weather hazard could cause this?” The student places the impact beside a hazard and explains one visible clue. Then the student adds a solution card that could reduce that specific harm. More than one match can be reasonable when the evidence is explained.

Hazard Cards

Heavy rain and rising floodwater
Flooding rain
Water rises around roads and homes.
Tornado with destructive wind
Tornado / strong wind
Fast-moving air can tear and topple objects.
Heavy snowstorm
Snowstorm
Snow and ice can stop travel.
Very hot weather during a heat wave
Heat wave
Long periods of heat can make bodies overheat.
Severe windstorm that can knock down trees and utility lines
Severe windstorm
Wind can bring down trees and power lines.
Thunderstorm cloud producing lightning
Thunderstorm
Electrical charges can produce lightning.

Exactly Six Printable Impact Cards

Match every impact to a hazard. Write the hazard name on the line.

Flooded home
1. Flooded home
Water enters or surrounds a home.
Hazard: __________________
Roof damaged by strong wind
2. Wind / roof damage
Shingles or roof pieces are torn away.
Hazard: __________________
Road blocked by deep snow
3. Snow-blocked road
Vehicles cannot travel safely.
Hazard: __________________
A person using water and shade during extreme heat
4. Heat safety
People need cooling, water, and shade.
Hazard: __________________
Fallen tree and downed power line blocking a road
5. Fallen tree / power line
The road is blocked and the wire may be dangerous.
Hazard: __________________
Lightning striking near an open area
6. Lightning danger
People outdoors could be struck.
Hazard: __________________

Printable Solution Cards

Choose a solution that reduces the specific impact. Explain how it helps.

Sandbags arranged as a flood barrier
Sandbag barrier
Slows shallow floodwater before it reaches a building.
Weather warning alert
Early warning alerts
Give people time to prepare, shelter, or leave.
People sheltered in a sturdy building
Sturdy indoor shelter
Keeps people away from lightning, wind, and falling objects.
People following an evacuation route
Evacuation plan
Moves people away before severe flooding or wind arrives.

Materials

Investigation

Step 1 — Match hazard and impact (10 min).
Place the six impact cards beside the hazard cards. For each match, the student names one visible clue and says what could be harmed.
Step 2 — Add solutions (8 min).
Place at least one solution beside each matched pair. Ask the student to explain exactly how the solution reduces that impact.
Step 3 — Compare two solutions (10 min).
Choose one impact. Compare two possible solutions for fit, amount of harm reduced, and limits.
Step 4 — Make a claim (10 min).
Complete the worksheet claim with the hazard, impact, preferred solution, and evidence.
Step 5 — Apply locally (7 min).
Name one hazard that happens locally and choose a matching solution. Do not ask students to act out dangerous conditions.

Student Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: __________________

HazardImpact imageBest solution cardHow it reduces harm

Compare solutions

Hazard and impact: __________________________________________

Solution A: __________________ Solution B: __________________

I choose __________________ because ________________________________________.

Parent/Teacher Notes

Safety: A downed power line must always be treated as energized. Stay far away and tell an adult to contact emergency or utility services. During lightning, move to a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle; do not shelter under a tree.

Parent Answer Key

Likely matches: flooding rain → flooded home; tornado/strong wind → roof damage; snowstorm → blocked road; heat wave → heat safety; severe windstorm → fallen tree/power line; thunderstorm → lightning danger.

Solutions: Sandbags can reduce some floodwater impacts. Alerts can support preparation for all six hazards. Sturdy shelter best addresses wind and lightning danger. Evacuation can reduce exposure before severe flooding or wind, when officials advise it.

Sample claim: “For lightning danger, sturdy indoor shelter has more merit than sandbags because a substantial building separates people from the outdoor strike danger.”