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Episode 26: The Blizzard of 1888
The weather on March 11, 1888 was clear and sunny. The calendar said it was still winter, but it felt as though spring was on its way. However, by the evening of March 12, the weather had turned and a major snowstorm was pummeling the entire northeast of the United States. Listen in to learn more about the blizzard and its powerful and long-term effects.
Verplanck Colvin in January 1888, two months before the great blizzard. 1888. (P007847)
Fun in the snow. ca1910 (P070179)
Connecting to Curriculum
Read aloud: Students can follow along while listening. Click HERE to download a copy of the transcript.
Vocabulary: Explore new words. Students listen to high-level vocabulary in context. Have them identify the definition afterward. Click HERE for the vocabulary page.
Reading: Learn more about this huge storm and how it affected people in New York City and beyond. Read Blizzard! The storm that changed America written by Jim Murphy, published by Scholastic in 2000.
Science: Include weather patterns in the study of maps.
Questions
Higher grade level students may want to explore some topics in more depth.
- Discuss the difference between weather and climate.
- If we still have blizzards and major snow storms is the climate really changing? Support your answer with evidence.
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