Eyeofthestorm

Eye of the Storm

By By Stephen Kramer Stephen Kramer Illustrated by Illustrated by Warren FaidleyWarren Faidley

Study Skills• Genre: Expository Nonfiction• Comprehension Skill: Graphic Sources

• Comprehension Strategy: Predict

• Comprehension Review Skill: Cause and Effect

• Vocabulary: Word Endings

SummaryIn spring, summer, and fall, weather patterns produce thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes in the United States. Most people take cover from storms, but photographer Warren Faidley travels around the country to take pictures of them. In August of 1992, Faidley went to Miami, Florida, to take pictures of Hurricane Andrew.

Genre: Expository Nonfiction

• Expository nonfiction gives information about real people and events.

• Be prepared for a few surprises as you read about a real person, Warren Faidley, who experiences a real storm, Hurricane Andrew.

Comprehension Skill Graphic Organizers

• A graphic source shows or explains information from the text.

• Pictures, maps, charts, time lines, and diagrams are all examples of graphic sources.

• Graphic sources can help you draw conclusions about what you are reading.

• KWL Chart

Practice Graphic Sources 1. 1. What materials are needed to complete this What materials are needed to complete this

activity?activity? 2-liter bottles, water, food coloring, duct 2-liter bottles, water, food coloring, duct

tape.tape.2. What is the first step in creating this tornado?2. What is the first step in creating this tornado? Fill one bottle with water and some food Fill one bottle with water and some food

coloring.coloring. 3. What is another step? 3. What is another step?

Connect the two bottles with duct tape.Connect the two bottles with duct tape.4. What is an example of how the diagram might 4. What is an example of how the diagram might

help a person complete this activity? help a person complete this activity? The diagram makes it easier to understand The diagram makes it easier to understand

how to connect the bottles.how to connect the bottles.

Comprehension Skill Review Cause and Effect

• A cause is what makes something happen.

• An effect is what happens.• Sometimes a cause will have more

than one effect.• Words such as because, so, and

since are clues to causes and effects.

Comprehension Strategy Predict

• Good readers think about what will happen next.

• Patterns in the information in a graph or chart can help you predict.

• Prediction Activities

Fun Stuff and Practice• Cause and Effect On-LinCause and Effect On-Line PowerPointe PowerPoint

• ActivitiesActivities

Questions about the story

• How do weather patterns affect our lives?

• Why do you think storms are so fascinating to some people?

• Why should people respect the power of storms?

• What kinds of storm safety information can you find on the Internet?

Review Questions1. What conclusion did Warren make when he

found an open photo album on the ground?

2. What is the main idea of this story?

3. Why do you think the author probably wrote this story?

4. Why was Warren so tired when he returned to his hotel?

5. What is the first thing Warren does to photograph a hurricane?

Review Questions6. Why does Warren have so many rolls of

exposed film as he heads home?

7. How are these photos different from other hurricane photos he took?

8. What made the storm chasers think Hurricane Andrew had changed course?

9. What are some reasons you can tell this hurricane was very destructive?

10. What causes the most damage during a hurricane?

Vocabulary - Say It• destruction• expected• forecasts• inland • shatter• surge

More Words to Know• potential• withstand• wreckage• ditch• shelter• unpredictable

destruction• great damage; ruin

expected• thought something

would probably come or happen

forecasts• statements of what is coming; predictions

inland• in or toward the interior

shatter• to break into pieces suddenly

surge• a swelling motion; sweep or rush, especially of waves

potential• something possible

withstand• to stand against; hold out against; resist; endure

wreckage• what is left behind after destruction

ditch• a long narrow hole dug into the earth; usually carry off water

shelter• something that cover or protects from weather, danger, or attack

unpredictable• uncertain, unable to tell about beforehand

You can survive in a tornado if you take shelter.

You can survive in a tornado if you take shelter.

The destruction from a hurricane comes from both wind and water.

The destruction from a hurricane comes from both wind and water.

They issue forecasts to tell when a storm is expected.

They issue forecasts to tell when a storm is expected.

He was found safe in a ditch a half a mile away.

He was found safe in a ditch a half a mile away.

Loose materials carried by hurricane winds can shatter windows .

Loose materials carried by hurricane winds can shatter windows .

The powerful winds can carry seawater a long ways inland.

The powerful winds can carry seawater a long ways inland.

A hurricane can cause a storm surge as winds push ocean water inland.

A hurricane can cause a storm surge as winds push ocean water inland.

Hurricane Andrew was expected to hit the coast in two days.

Hurricane Andrew was expected to hit the coast in two days.

A tornado is too fast and the direction it travels is unpredictable.

A tornado is too fast and the direction it travels is unpredictable.

Many homes could not withstand the winds of Hurricane Andrew.

Many homes could not withstand the winds of Hurricane Andrew.

Weather forecast showed Andrew had the potential to be a very dangerous storm.

Weather forecast showed Andrew had the potential to be a very dangerous storm.

Writing Assignment 3 Extra Points

Problem/Solution • Think of a problem that you or

someone you know has had.• Why was it a problem?• How was it solved?• Clearly identify the problem and then

describe the solution. • Use specific nouns and strong verbs.• Connect the ideas using time-order

words.