CoCoRaHS: Media Guide

The Story of CoCoRaHS. (2011, December 13).
Animated video detailing the background and purpose of the CoCoRaHS project, 4:00.

Ideas for discussion questions at various stopping points:

1.  At 1:40: What do you think the phrase “Rain doesn’t fall the same on all” means?
2. ~2:30: What was unique about the flooding event in 1998?
3. End: What are some benefits of this project? or Who might benefit from this project and how?

Introduction to CoCoRaHS. (2011, July 15).

• Video explaining how CoCoRaHS started and brief overview of measuring different types of precipitation, 5:48. Best suited for teacher background knowledge

Books

*For student exploration through read aloud and/or independent reading.

Branley, F. M., & Fraser, M. A. (2017). Down Comes the Rain (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Illustrated ed.). HarperCollins.

• An illustrated informational text about the water cycle that could be read aloud in one class period or independently by students. 32 pages. 560L.

Cherrix, A. (2017). Eye of the Storm: NASA, Drones, and the Race to Crack the Hurricane Code (Scientists in the Field Series) (Illustrated ed.). HMH Books for Young Readers.

• A narrative nonfiction text, including real photographs, that follows a meteorological NASA research team. This text would be best suited for read aloud over several days or independent student reading. 80 pages.

Cosgrove, B. (2016). DK Eyewitness Books: Weather: Discover the World’s Weather from Heat Waves and Droughts to Blizzards and Flood (Annotated ed.). DK Children.

• Student reference material regarding weather patterns, tools, and history of meteorology. 32 pages. 1220L.

Hanna, J., Holub, J., & Billin-Frye, P. (2006). The Man Who Named the Clouds (1st ed.). Albert Whitman & Company.

• A short biography of Luke Howard, who proposed a system of classifying and naming clouds. Would make a longer read aloud or could be read independently by students. 40 pages. AD910L.

Kostigen, T. M. (2014). Extreme Weather: Surviving Tornadoes, Sandstorms, Hailstorms, Blizzards, Hurricanes, and More! (National Geographic Kids) (Illustrated ed.). National Geographic Kids.

• Photograph heavy nonfiction text about how to prepare and survive major storms. A teacher might consider sharing particular segments with students or independent reading for students. 112 pages. 1000L.

Roker, A. (2017). Al Roker’s Extreme Weather: Tornadoes, Typhoons, and Other Weather Phenomena (Illustrated ed.). HarperCollins.

• Nonfiction text explaining conditions that create unique weather events. Suited for independent reading by students. 48 pages.

Simon, S. (1992). Storms (Reading Rainbow Books) (Illustrated ed.). Collins.

• Photograph heavy nonfiction text explaining different types of storms. Read aloud segments or independent student reading. 32 pages. 940L.
• Consider using select photographs as stand alone visual supports during activities.

Simon, S. (2006). Weather (Smithsonian-science) (Revised ed.). Collins.

• Informational text that covers a wide range of basic weather phenomena. Read aloud segments or independent student reading. 40 pages. AD1020L.
• Consider using select photographs as stand alone visual supports during activities.