Help! There are big flashes in the dark sky! By Kevin

Look out! Do you see some light flashing in the sky? That's called lightning! Do you know how to protect yourself and your family when there is a thunderstorm?

 Thunder or lightning is made of moisture, air (that is warm and can rise fast) and force that can push upwards. 

 Thunderstorms can appear anytime, any minute, but they mostly appear in spring, summer or in the afternoon or evening. 

 All thunderstorms are dangerous, so don't underestimate their power of destruction. Lightning is made out of electricity. 

Inside a thundercloud, many tiny bits of ice (frozen rain) bump into each other while they move around aimlessly in the air. After a short time, the whole thundercloud is filled up with electrical charges. Protons or positive charges form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom. When they attract, protons starts to gather on the ground. Then they will move towards anything that is tall like trees, people or mountains. A proton charge will go up the cloud and cause an electron to go down to the ground which will make lightning strike!

 If you want a more simple example, try rubbing your hands on the carpet and then touching a doorknob. If you do, you will feel a shock on your finger which might hurt a lot. This is because there are protons in the doorknob and electrons in your hand which causes the electric flow. 

 If your skin feels tingly or if your hair stands up straight then a lightning bolt is forming! In this situation, it is best to curl up into a ball shape, as lightning will have a lower chance of hitting you. Do not lay your body out. If you hear lightning, run towards shelter. Do not wash dishes, take showers, or fill your cups with water, because water is an excellent conductor of electricity. If you see some black clouds with bright lights flashing, it is best to get to a shelter to avoid any serious injuries. 

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation. 

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write about thunderstorms, how they form and a concluding statement about thunderstorms.