Mapping to MN State Standards
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The resources on this page have been selected by eLibraryMN and Minnesota Digital Library librarians and curators to support the MN English Language Arts and the Social Studies standards, both current and pending, specifically related to weather topics. Resources in eLibraryMN and EbooksMN have unlimited simultaneous user access and are freely available to anyone geolocated in Minnesota. The primary source resources detailed are available to all, regardless of location.
Please reach out with questions or suggestions about linking to, using, or sharing these resources.
Academic Research
Below is a collection of available topic overviews that link to many related articles and resources within ELM.
Gale in Context
Appropriate for middle-high schoolers new to the topic, these Gale in Context collections about weather and climate will help students get started with their research.
Gale in Context: Weather and Climate
Gale in Context: Climate Change
EBSCO
Check out EBSCO Academic Search Premier for peer reviewed, advanced research on the science of these topics. Results can be filtered, but include a mix of journal articles and ebooks.
EBSCO: Science of meteorology and weather
Points of View Reference Center: Climate Change
Study different perspectives on climate change in the Points of View Reference Center.
EBSCO Ebooks on Weather topics
Finally, look for ebooks that can help students dive deep into focused subtopics. Unlimited users can read online, single users can download for one day.
Ebooks
This is a curated group of fiction and nonfiction ebooks, Grade Interest Level 9-12. All titles are available to students geolocated in MN without login. Linking directly to chapters is also possible. To link directly to the titles and share in your LMS or libguides, copy the link to the title(s) you want from our persistent link spreadsheet (if you are not accessing through the MackinVia app). Reach out to us with questions about linking.
Investigating Hurricanes
Explores how much damage hurricanes can cause in a short amount of time--toppling trees and buildings easily. Explores some of the worst hurricanes in history and offers advice for surviving in a hurricane.
Discusses how water levels are rising due to global warming. Discusses the situations in the Arctic, Antarctica, Greenland, and on islands and glaciers around the world.
Explores the major changes that a few degrees increase in the Earth's temperature could bring. Discusses the effects of heat, flooding, fire, storms, loss of farmland, and disease. Includes a worst case scenario and a glossary.
Presents photos and information about tornadoes. Discusses tornado alleys, famous tornadoes, storm chasers and spotters, and staying safe during a tornado. Includes a glossary, index, Common Core connection, and resources for further information.
Primary Sources
Resources below are recommended by MDL curators from partners in primary source history.
Carleton College students, faculty, and staff recorded temperatures, precipitation, and more starting in 1882.
A farmer wrote this letter to the Governor of Minnesota requesting seeds after a hailstorm destroyed his crops. Tip: use the "Transcript" button to read the handwriting.
Winter storms and the icy waters of Lake Superior covered this cargo vessel at the Duluth harbor.
Springtime flooding is common in Minnesota towns, especially those next to rivers.
This funnel cloud rose ominously above the St. Olaf College campus.
After a tornado struck Fergus Falls in 1919, the American Red Cross helped with first aid, cleanup, and community relief projects.
Many Minnesotans had to dig themselves out of deep snow after a major blizzard occurred on November 11, 1940.
Listen to the story of a fire in northern Minnesota, which almost caused the death of Tom Kelly and Edor Hagen.
Primary Source Set: Natural Disasters
Learn how people survived and coped with some of Minnesota's historic natural disasters.
Primary Source Set: Mayo Clinic
Learn how the Mayo Clinic formed following a devastating tornado in Rochester.
Exhibit: Fires of 1918
Learn about the causes and effects of the worst natural disaster in Minnesota history.
Interlibrary Loan/Resource Sharing
For in depth research into these topics, sometimes you need to request materials from other libraries. These can be digital or they can sometimes be printed books. There are two main options for requesting these materials. One, MNLINK, allows you to search all Minnesota libraries for the requires the use of a public library card and PIN. While many educators use their own library card to help students, it is recommended that students use their own. However, this is not always possible, so there is a second option: Minitex Resource sharing for schools. This allows one staff member per school to request items on behalf of students and have the items sent directly to the school building. If you have questions about which option is better for you and your students, reach out to us and we can help.