"Shake, Rattle and Quake"

 Teacher Page

What Is Essential to Surviving a Natural Disaster?

1.      What is an earthquake?

2.      What causes an earthquake?

3.      When does an earthquake become a natural disaster?

4.      What resources are available to assist communities after

an earthquake?

5.      In which regions of the United States do earthquakes occur?

6.      How do you prepare for an earthquake?

7.      How would you protect yourself during an earthquake?

8.      How can recorded data from earthquakes help us in dealing with future natural disasters?

9.      How can you assist earthquake victims?

Unit Prerequisites

·        Basic knowledge of computer skills

·        Introduction of natural disaster terminology

·        Knowledge of internet capabilities

·        Basic math skills to measure statistics and design graphs and charts

·        Knowledge of gathering resources from a variety of materials

·        Basic writing skills

Task:             

Oh No! An earthquake has happened in your region. But wait, this is the perfect opportunity for you to use your great talent as a journalist. You will research earthquakes, prepare a newsletter and present a newscast to provide information to your community about earthquakes.  Group members will assume various roles including:  journalists, news anchors, investigative reporters, Red Cross volunteers, earthquake victims and Geologists and Seismologists.  Your teams will provide background, survival, preparation, and recovery information.   All information will be compiled in a presentation and a newsletter that will be presented to the community. 

Access:

·        Read about natural disasters

·        Research earthquakes

·        Gather atmospheric and geological facts as they pertain to each region of the United States

·        Examine facts and maps about these regions

·        Investigate survival techniques used during earthquakes

·        Interview individuals that are responsible for emergency rescue operations and communication operations

Interpret:

·        Analyze information that was gathered about natural disasters

·        Categorize the severity of earthquakes based on the Richter Scale

·        Compare geological facts as they pertain to earthquakes in each region of the U.S.

·        Interpret factual data and maps

·        Evaluate survival techniques used in emergencies

·        Organize information from interviews

·        Prioritize emergency information

Produce:

·        Compose charts that depict the severity of earthquakes

·        Develop graphs that compare and contrast  geological facts as they pertain to each region of the U.S.

·        Generate charts or graphs that formulate emergency information

Communicate:

·        Explain and elaborate all the necessary information that has been collected on earthquakes and earthquake survival

·        Present information obtained in the format of a news broadcast and a brochure

Evaluate:

·        Check information gathered to see that all criteria for the project has been met

·        Rate each member of the groups contribution to the project

·        Evaluate your success in achieving your Essential Goal/Question

Teacher Resources