Laura Ingalls Wilder and Her Famous Tornado
Laura and Almanzo almost certainly saw the tornado near Howard, roughly 10 miles from their buggy ride path. (National Weather Service)
Educational Resources - Stories From the Skies
Episode Guide
Things To Do
1. Watch Stories From the Skies.
2. Complete Episode Quiz individually or as a group. (Note: The quiz has additional information and related video.)
3. Student Glossary (PDF)
- Print Crossword Puzzle, (answers), and distribute to class.
4. Discussion Cards (PDF)
5. Class Activity - Snowflakes and Terminal Velocity (Science Phenomena)
Episode Script
Related Video
Attack of the Tumbleweed
Playlist title
1 / 15
Videos
SDPB
Attack of the Tumbleweed
SDPB
Landscapes of South Dakota: Stratobowl
SDPB
Cheyenne River Blizzard
Hot Mess
Why We Confuse Weather and Climate
SDPB
Landscapes of South Dakota: Joe Foss
Hot Mess
Link Between Extreme Weather and Climate Change
SDPB
Dakota Life: In the Blink of an Eye
Images of the Past
Space Age South Dakota
SDPB
Space Age South Dakota | Stratobowl Balloon Launches
SDPB
Space Age South Dakota | Lee Solid
SDPB
Space Age South Dakota | Raven Aerostar
SDPB
Castlewood Strong | In Play
SDPB
Castlewood residents sifting through damage from devastating tornado | SDPB News
SDPB
Cheyenne River Ice Storm | SDPB News
SDPB
Come study lightning in South Dakota with Tom Warner & Dr. Vladislav Mazur | Dakota Life
On the this page you will find educational resources for the Dakota Pathways episode called Stories From the Skies. There is an episode guide, additional videos, activities, and more.
Related Resources
Stratobowl: Wind Speed Study
During this activity your students will participate in a hands-on qualitative wind speed study using common household items.
From Floods To Drought: Ranchers Reflect On Extreme South Dakota Weather
In the summer of 2021, the state was so deep into a drought that it was easy to forget the situation was much different in the past. In 2019, widespread floods damaged farmland, roads, and infrastructure.
Powering Through South Dakota Snowstorms
Early snow removal on city streets meant an investment in man and horse power. Roadway drifts were often simply smoothed over to make way for sleigh traffic.
South Dakota Blizzards of 1949 and 1966
There are some winter storms that people never forget. The January blizzard of 1949 and the March blizzard of 1966 are two such events.
Spearfish's World Record Temperature Change - 1943
There's an old saying in these parts - "If you don't like the weather in South Dakota, just wait around a few minutes, and it will change".
The Deadly Sioux Falls Tornado of 1932
It destroyed almost everything in its path between the present day Empire Mall and a spot north of Shindler along SD Highway 11.
Flood Survivors In Their Own Words
June 9th, 2022, is the 50th anniversary of the Black Hills Flood of 1972. Survivors are sharing their memories with SDPB.
Spearfish Aviation - 1913 & 1938
Spearfish has been an important air transit hub in South Dakota since the earliest days of commercial aviation.
February 1962 Record Breaking Storm.
Beginning on February 16 and lasting through the 18th, the storm dropped a total of 32.2 inches of snow in Sioux Falls, making it the biggest single snow event in Sioux Falls weather history.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones and 5-degree F half zones.
Related Resources
South Dakota Standards
South Dakota academic content standards serve as expectations for what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade. The review, revision, development, and feedback process involves stakeholders throughout the state of South Dakota and is an ongoing and critical component to ensure South Dakota students in every classroom receive current and relevant learning experiences. The goal is that all students will graduate college, career, and life ready.
Content standards are set by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards. They are reviewed every five to seven years. Content standards do not mandate a specific curriculum.