Read "Thunder Cake" aloud to students. Ask if an adult ever told them a story to help them feel safe. Ask them to think of something that frightens them and how they might overcome the fear. Give students a large piece of drawing paper divided into four boxes. Instruct students to draw a picture in each box to tell a story about a time someone helped them get over a fear. Alternatively, have them think of a way they might be able to overcome a fear and draw that process in the boxes. Have students write a short sentence in each box that describes the picture.
Discuss how the two main characters were related and family words such as grandparent, aunt, cousin and nephew. Explain that the author's grandparents were from Ireland and Russia. Ask if any students have family members from other countries. Send home a blank family tree for each student with a note asking parents to fill it out and return it. On a large world map, have students help you locate Michigan, the story's setting. Then have students share their family trees as you mark where their family members live on the map.
Use the recipe in the book or a similar recipe to make Thunder Cakes with your class. Have students assist you with measuring and counting, making them in cupcake pans for convenience. Prepare a seat activity for students not helping with preparation; create copies of the steps in the recipe you use and cut the steps apart. Have pairs of students work to put the steps in order while other groups help with preparation. If students finish sequencing the steps, have them draw a picture predicting how the finished cakes will look. Use a toaster oven to bake them if you are unable to use cafeteria ovens. If no baking device is available, use a recipe for no-bake "cakes" such as crispy rice treats.
Use the storm in the book as a jumping off point to teach a lesson about the water cycle. Have students draw a picture showing a rainy scene from the book, illustrating the water cycle parts as well as the story. Write a list of the water cycle words such as evaporation, condensation and precipitation on the board. On the picture, have students label the parts of the water cycle.