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From: Monster Storms Mission 1: The Usual Suspects
Mission 1 - Lesson 1: Introduction and Pre-Assessment of Mission 1

Generate interest in the concepts that will be presented in Mission 1 and gain an understanding of student readiness for the learning objectives of the mission.
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Prepare  
 
Preparation
 
Time required: 60 to 120 minutes.
  • Download and copy concept maps.
  • Download and copy the pre-test with answer key.
  • Gather samples of conflicting weather reports from newspapers or the Internet.
  • Make sure all Internet connections are functional.
  • Set up a projector for watching the video.
 
Mission 1 Teacher's Edition Pages Teacher's Guide
 
View Profiling the Suspects: At a Glance, Standards Alignment, and teaching tips and suggestions for all content in Mission 1.
Motivate  
 
Have students complete the concept map for Mission 1.
 
A brief overview of concept mapping is found online at the JASON Mission Center. Graphic organizers have been provided for you to use to complete the concept maps, if you wish. Invite students to share their concept maps, along with experiences they may have had with weather events. Ask students if any major weather events they remember were predicted and if their families were prepared.
 
Introduction to Concept Maps Supporting Material
 
View An overview of the foundation behind concept mapping.
 
Blank Concept Map Examples Supporting Material
 
View Some examples of concept maps students can use at the beginning and end of each mission.
Teach  
 
Teach
 
  • Administer the Pre-test for Mission 1, either using the PDF format found in Teacher Resources online or the resources in the Assessment Center. Show students the Meet the Researcher video about Anthony Guillory. Pause as necessary to complete the guiding questions.
  • Direct students to Your Mission on page 7 of the student edition. Explain that it contains an overview of skills they will need to explore the causes of weather.
  • Discuss the meaning of weather.
  • Show examples of contrasting weather reports from newspapers or the Internet. Ask what conditions the reports describe.
  • Have students write the Mission Statement in their JASON Journals.
  • Have students read the bulleted list of skills they will need to fulfill the mission objectives.
  • Reflect on the skills together and have students record their thoughts in their JASON Journals. Invite students to share their reflections with the class.
  • Have students watch the Join the Argonaut Adventure Video and explore the Join the Team section online.
 
Mission 1: Pre Test (PDF Document) Assessment
 
Pre-Test for Mission 1.
 
Meet Anthony Guillory Video
 
View Meet NASA researcher Anthony Guillory, who studies hurricane and tropical storm mechanics.
 
Video Guiding Questions Supporting Material
 
View These are the guiding questions for the videos that appear in missions 1-5.
Reflect And Assess  
 
Assessment
 
  • Keep the concept maps in a safe place for later use.
  • Refer to the answer key to the Pre-test that has been provided online at the JASON Mission Center.
  • The video guiding questions and journal question can be used as an additional form of assessment.
 
Mission 1: Pre Test Answer Key Answer Key
 
Answer key to go with mission 1 Pre-test.
Follow-up  
 
Follow-up
 
For homework, ask students to research different scientific teams. NASA, NOAA, and the NSF are examples. This activity is outlined in the Extension on page 7 of the teacher’s edition.
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