Homeschool Earth Sciences Research

What a fun and exciting way to get students interested in the forces of nature!!!! They will love this interactive, group cooperation activity.

NOTE: ADJUST MARGINS UNDER PAGE SETUP BEFORE PRINTING or SCALE TO FIT TO AVOID GRAPHICS FROM BEING CUT OFF.

OBJECTIVE:
o Students will understand the devastating effect natural disasters have on people and the country economically in the 21st Century.
o Students will be able to identify the cause and effect of various natural disasters throughout history.

MATERIALS:
o Introduction videos to choose from.
o Cards duplication for research on a natural disaster
o Graphic organizer
o Laminated spinner (You may use the one provided or purchase spinners at a teacher’s store.)
o Metal brads, 1 per group
o Laminated game board, 1 per group
o One die per group for the enrichment game.
o Tape—tape down the board game to the desk or table for stabilization.
o Computers, library books, and other resources for research.
o Forces of Nature Thinking Chart for taking notes during presentations.

PREPARATION:
Set up the classroom desks or tables so that students are sitting in groups of three or four.

On the board, write the following in preparation for the game, providing lots of room below each category to place index cards.

5=Results in the most damage costs the most amount of funds for restoration.
1=Results in the least damage costs the least amount of funds for restoration.

INTRODUCTION:

Included with purchase.

INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: CHOOSE THE VIDEO YOU WISH YOUR STUDENTS TO VIEW TO INTRODUCE THEM TO NATURAL DISASTERS:

Video links are included with purchase.

PROCEDURE:
Students will begin by spinning the wheel on the Forces of Nature game. They will take turns spinning, yet the group will only spin 3-5 times to acquire 3-5 different natural disasters to research (Based on the teacher’s requirements). A list of natural disasters is provided below for which students can refer. Each group will receive 3-5 research cards (included below) which ask them to name the natural disaster they have chosen to (1) research, (2) provide the location, (3) describe the physical damage, (4) explain the cause and effect, and (5) give a total of the estimated cost of damage and restoration costs. Allow students 10-20 minutes to research and complete each card for each natural disaster they chose to research.

Students may need to use problem-solving skills to determine how they are going to get all 3-5 completed within the limited time frame, meaning they may have to divide them up between group members and then come back and share their information.

CLOSURE / EVALUATION:
On the top of the board list the categories below, leaving room for students to place their natural disaster cards underneath the numbering system.

(Included with purchase)

4=Results in the most physical damage cost the most amount of funds for restoration.
1=Results in the least physical damage costs the least amount of funds for restoration.

Provide students with a Forces of Nature Thinking Chart on which the audience can take notes while their classmates give presentations.

Using their cards, allow students, one team at a time, to present each of their natural disaster cards to the class. Direct them to place their card under one of the four categories of ratings on the board. Be sure to have tape available. Painter’s tape may be best.

Once the class has finished presentations and all cards are categorized on the board, allow the class to discuss what are the 10 Worst Natural Disasters from the presentations, from their lists on the board. This may require that cards be moved around from one category to another in order to determine the 10 Worst Natural Disasters. The discussion will be centered on physical damage & cost of restoration. If students wish to move a natural disaster to another category, they must support their decision with facts. At the end, you should have 10 natural disasters listed under Category 4. This will be what the class as a whole has decided is the most devastating natural disasters throughout history based on restoration costs.

ENRICHMENT REVIEW ACTIVITY:
Continue to play Forces of Nature:
(Game included with purchase.)

LIST OF NATURAL DISASTERS COVERED

BEFORE THE 20th CENTURY
The Black Death (1348)
The Great White Plaque (1600s)
North American Smallpox Epidemic (1775)
Antioch Earthquake (526)
Aleppo Earthquake (1138)

20TH CENTURY
Hurricane Andrew (1993)
Nevado del Ruiz Volcano Eruption (1985)
Tangshan Earthquake in China (1976)
Haiyuan Earthquake (1920)

(More listed with purchase.)

Disclaimer: One purchase is good for one teacher's usage (Unlimited class periods). For more than one teacher's use, please purchase additional licenses at a discounted rate. This product is under copyright with Geography & Math Made Easy.
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Permissions are given to the purchaser to make modifications to the game board using the Word document provided in the zip file. No other modifications may be made to this document.
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