Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)
Step 1Visit a local library and borrow one of Jackie French’s books, ‘Drought’, ‘Fire’, ‘Flood’, or ‘Cyclone’ to read with the child. Explain that these books explore different weather events and the effects they have on communities.
Step 2Before you begin reading, ask the child to share what they already know about the topic of the book (e.g. fire or flood). Encourage them to explain some of the causes of these types of events and whether they know of any occurrences in their town or close by.
Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)
Step 1Find a comfortable reading spot and read aloud while the child follows along. As you read, take breaks to discuss important points like how extreme weather events impact people and nature. Encourage the child to ask any questions they may have about the story.
Step 2While reading, discuss how technology, like weather stations and satellites, helps us predict the weather more accurately. Relate this to the story’s events if possible. Explain that weather stations measure things like temperature and wind and are placed at different locations.
Step 3After finishing the book, ask the child, ‘What did you notice about how the story ends?’ Help them recognise that the text concludes with the community recovering and cleaning up after the weather event.
Step 4Prompt the child to think about whether buildings and structures can be built to withstand these weather events. Ask the child, ‘How do you think a building or structure could be built to withstand a (fire/flood/drought/cyclone)?’.
Discuss ‘smart buildings’ such as houses and roads designed by engineers to withstand extremes. If reading ‘Flood’, discuss the importance of building a bridge to withstand floods, similar to the problem in the story.
Step 5Prompt the child to reflect on what they have learned about the weather event from the book. Ask, ‘How can understanding the weather help us get ready for events like droughts, floods, and cyclones?’ Discuss with them how knowing about different weather events can assist communities in planning and responding to emergencies.
Showcase
Make
Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.
Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections. This may include filming each step of the flower-pressing process or the child explaining the parts of the flower that they have labelled on their flower-press diagram.
Compile photos, drawings and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what has been learned and enjoyed.
Use materials from the activity to build a model or prototype of something related to the topic, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.
Discuss
Choose an object or aspect of the activity to present to the rest of the family, explaining its significance and what they learned.
Choose a thought-provoking question or topic related to the activity and hold a family debate or discussion to explore different perspectives.
Sit down together to discuss the activity, allowing each family member to share their thoughts, discoveries and questions.
Have each family member prepare a short presentation about what they have learned, using visuals like drawings or props to illustrate key points.
Write
If the activity involved a visit to a museum or community centre, write thank-you notes to any instructors or organisers, reflecting on what has been learned.
Collaborate on writing a fictional story or play inspired by the themes or concepts explored during the activity.
Reflect on what has been learned during the activity and write letters to be opened at a later date, sharing thoughts, goals and aspirations.
Help the child to start a weather journal to track daily weather patterns. Include observations about temperature, rain, and any signs of upcoming weather events like storms or dry spells. You might like to relate these weather observations to what the child noticed in the texts. For a more hands-on experience, consider setting up a simple weather station with a thermometer or rain gauge in a convenient location accessible to the child.
Plan
Brainstorm ideas for a follow-up activity or experiment inspired by what has been learned during the initial activity.
Take time to reflect on how the activity could inspire new goals, discussing ways to incorporate similar experiences into your routine in the future.
If the activity involved a specific topic or field of study, reach out to experts or professionals for interviews or Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.
If you enjoyed the activity, why not share it with other families within your community? Plan a workshop or invite a friend over to re-create the experience and share your new knowledge.