How a Tornado Forms

This worksheet helps students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 build a strong understanding of tornado formation through close reading, scientific analysis, and clear written explanation. Students read an informational passage explaining how tornadoes develop within supercell thunderstorms, focusing on wind shear, rotating updrafts, funnel clouds, and atmospheric instability, then respond to comprehension questions using complete sentences and text-based evidence.

Learning Goals

• Informational Text Comprehension (Grades 4-6) – Read and analyze a detailed science passage to identify key ideas and supporting details.
• Tornado Development – Understand how wind shear, air mass collisions, and rotating updrafts contribute to tornado formation.
• Cause-and-Effect Reasoning – Explain how specific atmospheric conditions lead to severe weather events.
• Scientific Writing Skills – Construct clear, complete responses using accurate weather and science vocabulary.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper elementary weather and Earth science standards.
• Content-Rich Passage – Provides clear explanations of complex processes in student-friendly language.
• Comprehension Questions Included – Require students to demonstrate understanding through written responses.
• Flexible Use – Suitable for classwork, homework, science centers, assessments, or guided reading in science.

This printable worksheet strengthens reading comprehension, science literacy, and explanatory writing by guiding students through the step-by-step process of tornado formation. Learners practice identifying cause-and-effect relationships, using precise terminology, and explaining natural phenomena clearly. Ideal for both classroom and homeschool settings, this no-prep activity supports meaningful learning through thoughtful reading and evidence-based scientific explanation.

This worksheet is part of our Tornadoes Worksheets collection.