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Weatherlore
Folklore are beliefs based on fear and superstition. Weatherlore is based on observation of the environment and the effects that changes in the weather have on insects, animals, birds and people.

Atlanta Puppet's Weather Show introduces the idea of how people use to look to their natural surroundings to get some idea of what to expect from the weather in the near future.

There is something to be considered in the ways and wisdom of our grandparents and great-grandparents. Their keen observation of the world around them was, indeed, out of necessity. It would be unfortunate to lose the desire and ability to really observe the natural world and, instead,  put all faith in the man-made hardware of satellites, radar, and computer models.

In the performance, 6 examples are given of Weatherlore -

1. Cats - When cats wash behind their ears, it means rain
   Explanation - Cats, like all furry animals, are affected by the climate conditions around them. When the air is dry, cats will wash themselves with the grain of their fur. When humidity increases or the air becomes charged with static electricity, cats will wash themselves against the grain to relieve themselves of the uncomfortable feeling caused by static electricity build-up.
   

2. Flies - Flies bite more when it is going to rain
   Explanation -  This rule does not always apply, but insects do calling more during moist weather, as flying is more difficult. Heat causes human sweating, which makes you a more appetizing target. These two reasons, plus a release of more body odors when atmospheric pressure on your body lowers, will add up to the rule that flies and insects are more bothersome just before a rain than at any other time
   

3. Spiders - Spiders leave their webs when it is going to rain
   Explanation - Spiders, ants, and other insects are very adept at monitoring atmosphere conditions as their survival depends on it. Web spinning spiders will retreat to a safe overhang or other shelter when they sense a drop in barometric pressure and a rise in humidity levels.
   

4. Birds - When birds fly low, there will be much snow
   Explanation - This is also attributable to a drop in air pressure causing the air to become "heavier" and resulting in difficulty in higher altitude flying.  It can also be linked to certain birds hunting for insects that are flying lower to the ground for the same "heavy air" reason. An on-coming thunderstorm or other heavy precipitation event will also cause this behavior.
   

5. Caterpillars - When cold weather is coming, a caterpillar will put on his wooly coat
   Explanation - This observance has been made by all countries and cultures where wooly caterpillars are present. The occurrence may be considered coincidental with the natural growth cycle and  metamorphosis of the caterpillar, but many agricultural cultures have used it as a gauge for harvest and preparation for winter.
   

6. Squirrel - When you see a squirrel bury a large amount of nuts, a hard winter is ahead
   Explanation: Squirrels just do the best they can, and some years have better nut seasons than others. Yet, the old-timers still observe the activities of the squirrels as a sign of winter weather. Like the caterpillar, this behavior serves as a reminder to the change of season approaching.

Mi'kmaq (Mic-Mac) Indian Legend
All cultures in the world have used legends to describe weather events and phenomena. In the Atlanta Puppet performance, an adaptation of the legend, "The Storm Bird",  from the Mi'kmaq Indian tribe is presented as an example of weather myth and legend. It is also a humorous depiction of how humans can learn to cooperate with nature.

Multi-Culture Research:

• To find out more about the Mi'kmaq Tribe, go to:
  http://www.dickshovel.com/mic.html

• For a Mi'kmaq version of the "Cinderella" story, go to:
  http://www.kstrom.net/isk/stories/cinder3.html

• For a Mi'kmaq "trickster" story of an otter and rabbit, go to:
  http://www.indians.org/welker/bunghost.htm
  

  Back To Weather Show Description

  Download the Study Guide

Beaufort Wind Scale
The use of the Beaufort Wind Scale is portrayed in the performance. The scale assigns wind velocity a visual effect and number. The scale has been adopted by the World Meteorological Organization as a standard for describing wind speed.

• Further information on the Beaufort Wind Scale can be seen here -
  http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

• Lesson Plan : Understanding Wind Direction And Making A Wind Vane
  A simple classroom craft activity  Click HERE

• Lesson Plan:  The Wind Blows
  A hands-on classroom activity using observation, measurement and recording of data  
  Click HERE
  

  Back To Weather Show Description

  Download the Study Guide

The Lightning Box
The spectacular phenomena of lightning is addressed in the performace with use of "The Lightning Box".  An explanation of how lightning is formed is given. The audience participates in learning a counting technique to judge distance of a storm by counting between lightning flash and thunder crash.

There are people that make it their professional business to chronicle and record severe weather conditions. These people are known as "Storm Chasers" and they have several sites on the internet.

• A web site featuring the closest 12 stroke lightning strike ever caught on video. Great photographs and story.  It also provides links to many sites with lightning photos.
  http://www.dastrike.com/

• The National Severe Storms Laboratory's Weather Room - just about everything one would need to know about lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. Lesson plan tips and coloring books, too!
  http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/

• A Study Guide page about Lightning Safety Tips
  Click HERE

Weather Precautions
The Weather Show concludes with a review of precautions one should take to protect against normal seasonal changes of winter cold and summer heat.

• Using a stuffed toy animal or doll figure, have students describe or make a list of what clothing the figure should wear in summer and winter

• Emphasize the use of sun blocks and the drinking of water to avoid dehydration during hot summer months

Other   Study Guide Pages and Web Sites

• Study Guide Page - Basic Aspects of Winter - This activity is a great way for young students to begin to grasp the difference in weather and seasons. To help them better understand Winter, this lesson includes two great books for the first grade reading level. Click HERE

• The Collaborative Lesson Archive - Multiple Lesson Plans of Various Approach - http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/WEATHER/weather.html

Language Arts Lesson Plan - Idioms

Lightning Safety Tips

Lesson Plan - Basic Aspects of Winter

Lesson Plan - The Wind Blows

Lesson Plan - Make a Wind Vane

A full page drawing of one of the characters in the show (Mac) is provided for coloring page activity for younger grades after the performance