With all of the news coverage of the recent tsunami and its aftermath in Japan, many teachers are looking for ways to explain the phenomenon to their students. Students are seeing videos and pictures of the devastation in Japan, and many of them don’t completely understand the science behind this type of weather disaster. This lack of understanding can lead to fear in students (and teachers) of all ages. Joann has been collecting resources for The Gateway to help teach students about tsunamis. The resources she is featuring in her column and social media posts this week look at tsunamis from many different angles. She has found a really nice variety of resources, and I really like the way they integrate the study of tsunamis into subjects ranging from art to science.
It was hard for me to pick out my favorite activities to use in the classroom. These are all great stand-alone resources, but there are so many different aspects of tsunamis that might spark students’ interests, I thought it would be neat to allow students to choose which angle of tsunamis they want to study. To allow this choice, I needed to figure out how to combine ideas from lots of Joann’s picks into one activity. I wanted to create an activity that could be adapted for many different age groups and that would appeal to students with a wide range of interests. It would include creative and critical thinking and it would involve students teaching others about what they learned, the best form of learning in my opinion.
Tsunami News Broadcast
In this activity, students will create news broadcasts to explain tsunamis to a selected audience. You might choose a group of younger students, other students in the class, or parents as the audience. Students could present their newscasts live, as a video, as an audio podcast, a glog, or you might want to give them the choice of creating a newspaper to present.
Choose four to six tsunami-related topics. (I did this by looking at the topics covered in this week’s featured resources on The Gateway.) Create a list of these topics to distribute to small groups of students with a few suggested links or research ideas for each topic. Explain to the students that they are a news team responsible for creating a news broadcast covering a few different aspects of tsunamis to help their viewers better understand the crisis in Japan.
I have found that it is very beneficial to let students teach one another, and this is a fun, creative way for students to do that. One strength of this type of activity is that it allows the students to make choices. If you select 6 possible topics, students could choose 4 of those topics to cover in their news broadcast. This way, they are spending their time researching things that interest them the most.
The following is a list of topic ideas for students to include in their broadcasts. There are many more possibilities, so have fun and use your imagination!
The science of a tsunami: If students understand the science behind a tsunami, their fears of a similar event occurring near them might be alleviated. Look at resources like this to find out what causes these giant waves and to get ideas for visual representations to use in a news broadcast. The NSTA also collected some good resources and here are the top 3 sites from Free Technology for Teachers.
Fact v. Fiction: Students will need to use critical thinking to determine whether the things they see in the media are true or false. Look here to help students create a section of the broadcast devoted to how to decide what is real. This is especially important when looking at the reports about the nuclear reactors. This lesson from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission explains a lot about how nuclear power works.
History of Tsunamis: There have been other major tsunamis throughout history. How do those tsunamis compare to the recent event in Japan? Here is an example of the type of resource that might be useful for this topic.
Survivor studies: A study of the stories of survivors might give them empathy for the people affected by the disaster. Look at sites like this to find some stories of survivors of natural disasters to include in a broadcast.
Making a Difference: A service project with the goal of helping tsunami victims could give people a sense of a purpose instead of fear. What can students do to help? Discuss ideas that have been implemented or that students could implement to help tsunami victims. See lessons like this and others from LearningToGive.org for some ideas.
Will it Happen To Me? Reading Rockets collected resources to help students understand tsunamis and whether or not one might occur near their home. Students might want to dedicate a section of their broadcast to this topic.
This is just a beginning of a plan. You might have some better ideas, and if you do, we would love for you to share! Join us on Facebook and Twitter to learn even more. We will share any presentations, podcasts, glogs, or pictures you share with us to inspire other teachers to discuss this important topic in the classroom.
~Peggy's Corner - 4/8/2010~
Showing posts with label Tsunami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tsunami. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tsunamis
The recent earthquake in Japan has vividly illustrated just how powerful natural disasters can be. Most of the horrific, widespread damage was caused not by the earthquake itself, but by the resulting tsunami. After the earthquake, residents living on the northeastern coast of Japan had only minutes to seek high ground before the waves came crashing in. Many never made it.
Tsunamis are large ocean waves of displaced water generally caused by earthquakes or volcanoes. In order to generate a tsunami, an earthquake must occur near the ocean or beneath the ocean floor. While tsunamis can occur in any ocean, the Pacific is a particularly fertile area for tsunamis because of the geologic volatility of the Ring of Fire zone, which rims the Pacific. The number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in this region are caused by the convergence of three tectonic plates, which continuously move and shift against one another. Once a tsunami is triggered, the waves can reach staggering heights – some tsunami wave heights have been recorded in excess of 100 feet. Most deep ocean tsunamis, however, rarely exceed 3 feet in height, but are characterized instead by their length. In such cases, a tsunami can measure hundreds of miles or more from wave crest to wave crest, and can neither be seen from the air nor be felt by ships, despite moving at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.
In science classes, the study of tsunamis has applications in geology, earth science, and physics. While students most often learn about tsunamis in science class, the study of this phenomenon can be applied to other subject areas as well. In schools where character education is part of the curriculum, learning about how tsunamis have affected communities in Japan and other areas can generate service learning projects and overall discussion of how people can help those touched by tragedy. In social studies, students can learn about the geographic regions affected by tsunamis, and how the local cultures have adapted to live with the threat of big waves. Students in Language Arts and English classes can write poems or descriptive essays about tsunamis, attempting to capture the power and violence of such force in words. In art classes, students can create artwork similar to tsunami-inspired pieces by artists Katsushika Hokusai and Sandra Hansen. Math classes, too, can use information about tsunamis to calculate wave height, speed, and the local times that various locations could be affected by walls of water.
Below are three resources on tsunamis for various grade ranges. Throughout the week, I’ll be featuring many additional lessons and activities on tsunamis in a variety of subject areas on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please be sure to give them a look.
Tsunamis
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.0278696810
Subjects: Earth science, Physical science
Grade: K-2
Young children should understand that earthquakes can cause tsunamis, and if they live near the water, they should be prepared to go inland and uphill to high ground. In this lesson, younger students are introduced to tsunamis, and participate in hands-on activities to demonstrate the characteristics of waves. This lesson was produced by the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization. In addition to providing relief and community services, the Red Cross also offers educational materials on disaster preparedness and response.
Monster Waves
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.2028916312
Subjects: Geography, Earth science, Math
Grade: 6-8
In this activity, students will build a tabletop fishing village and use it to visualize the relative height and affects of gigantic waves called tsunamis. This lesson is offered by the Houghton Mifflin Education Place, where teachers and families can find K-12 education resources including lesson plans and activities.
Tsunami: Waves of Destruction
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-28.3813267750
Subjects: Math, Physical science, Geography, Earth science
Grade: 9-12
In this lesson, students use tsunami time travel maps to predict how long it will take a tsunami to reach the shore. This lesson was produced by The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), which conducts interdisciplinary research and provides advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. VIMS offers educational resources through The Bridge, a companion web site.
~Joann's Picks - 4/9/2011~
Tsunamis are large ocean waves of displaced water generally caused by earthquakes or volcanoes. In order to generate a tsunami, an earthquake must occur near the ocean or beneath the ocean floor. While tsunamis can occur in any ocean, the Pacific is a particularly fertile area for tsunamis because of the geologic volatility of the Ring of Fire zone, which rims the Pacific. The number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in this region are caused by the convergence of three tectonic plates, which continuously move and shift against one another. Once a tsunami is triggered, the waves can reach staggering heights – some tsunami wave heights have been recorded in excess of 100 feet. Most deep ocean tsunamis, however, rarely exceed 3 feet in height, but are characterized instead by their length. In such cases, a tsunami can measure hundreds of miles or more from wave crest to wave crest, and can neither be seen from the air nor be felt by ships, despite moving at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.
In science classes, the study of tsunamis has applications in geology, earth science, and physics. While students most often learn about tsunamis in science class, the study of this phenomenon can be applied to other subject areas as well. In schools where character education is part of the curriculum, learning about how tsunamis have affected communities in Japan and other areas can generate service learning projects and overall discussion of how people can help those touched by tragedy. In social studies, students can learn about the geographic regions affected by tsunamis, and how the local cultures have adapted to live with the threat of big waves. Students in Language Arts and English classes can write poems or descriptive essays about tsunamis, attempting to capture the power and violence of such force in words. In art classes, students can create artwork similar to tsunami-inspired pieces by artists Katsushika Hokusai and Sandra Hansen. Math classes, too, can use information about tsunamis to calculate wave height, speed, and the local times that various locations could be affected by walls of water.
Below are three resources on tsunamis for various grade ranges. Throughout the week, I’ll be featuring many additional lessons and activities on tsunamis in a variety of subject areas on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please be sure to give them a look.
Tsunamis
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.0278696810
Subjects: Earth science, Physical science
Grade: K-2
Young children should understand that earthquakes can cause tsunamis, and if they live near the water, they should be prepared to go inland and uphill to high ground. In this lesson, younger students are introduced to tsunamis, and participate in hands-on activities to demonstrate the characteristics of waves. This lesson was produced by the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization. In addition to providing relief and community services, the Red Cross also offers educational materials on disaster preparedness and response.
Monster Waves
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.2028916312
Subjects: Geography, Earth science, Math
Grade: 6-8
In this activity, students will build a tabletop fishing village and use it to visualize the relative height and affects of gigantic waves called tsunamis. This lesson is offered by the Houghton Mifflin Education Place, where teachers and families can find K-12 education resources including lesson plans and activities.
Tsunami: Waves of Destruction
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-28.3813267750
Subjects: Math, Physical science, Geography, Earth science
Grade: 9-12
In this lesson, students use tsunami time travel maps to predict how long it will take a tsunami to reach the shore. This lesson was produced by The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), which conducts interdisciplinary research and provides advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. VIMS offers educational resources through The Bridge, a companion web site.
~Joann's Picks - 4/9/2011~
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Japan: Disaster Relief
Millions of people around the globe have been thunderstruck and horrified by the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and resulting nuclear crisis that have unfolded in Japan in recent weeks. Stark images of the utter destruction left in the tsunami’s wake replay continuously on news reports, leaving viewers wondering how the affected communities can possibly rebuild after such a tragedy. Where does one start? The sheer scope of the destruction seems overwhelming.
Many older students will likely remember Hurricane Katrina, the deadly hurricane that ripped through the American Gulf Coast in 2005, causing over $81 billion dollars in damage and killing over 1,800 people. Katrina ranks as the most costly natural disaster in American history, and one from which the Gulf states are still struggling to recover. Depending on their ages, students may react to the news of disasters such as the earthquake in Japan and Hurricane Katrina in different ways. Younger students look for reassurance of their own personal safety and that of their families, while older students want to understand how such catastrophes occur, what can be done to prevent them, and how they can help the affected communities.
Last fall, Peggy and I wrote columns on natural disasters, specifically on how to prepare for one and how to respond should a disaster occur. In my column, I offered resources on safety preparations, community rebuilding, and how the human body physically reacts in response to traumatic events such as a natural disaster. In Peggy’s companion column, she offered excellent ideas on how to tackle this often difficult topic in the classroom. I encourage you to take a look at them both.
This week, I’m featuring all-new resources for all ages on disaster relief and emergency management in the wake of a natural disaster. Throughout the week, I’ll be featuring many additional lessons and activities on our Facebook and Twitter pages, all focusing on disaster relief and how such disasters affect our communities. Finally, on behalf of the entire Gateway team, I’d like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to everyone in Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be Disaster Safe: Emergency Management
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-18.6119251528
Subjects: Health, Safety, Government
Grade: 3-5
In this lesson, students learn that communities have systems in place and that agencies cooperate to take care of the community’s needs during emergencies and disasters. This lesson was produced by the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization since 1881. In addition to providing international and national emergency relief services, the Red Cross also offers safety information resources for parents, teachers, and students.
Dealing with Disasters
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.3870913061
Subjects: Geography, Earth science, Civics
Grade: 6-8
In this lesson, students will study potential natural hazards in their community, report on local hazards in small groups, and discuss community preparation and response for one or more of these forces of nature. This lesson is a product of National Geographic Xpeditions, part of the National Geographic Society. The site offers all kinds of lesson plans, daily global news, and interactive games that focus on geography and foreign cultures. This lesson is aligned to U.S. national geography standards.
Disaster Relief – Power, Generosity and Leadership
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.8590214576
Subjects: Economics, Civics, Character Education
Grade 9-12
Students will research problems caused by a natural disaster and cite examples of aid provided in an effort to help those devastated populations. They will investigate the role of the four economic sectors in responding to the needs. They will participate in a collection campaign or other service project and learn about organizations to which they can contribute their philanthropy. Students carry out the project, track their results, advocate for the cause, and reflect on their participation. This lesson was produced by Learning to Give, the curriculum arm of The LEAGUE, which is a school-based system that combines lesson plans with community service events. This lesson is aligned to national, state, and some international education standards.
~Joann's Picks - 3/25/11~
Many older students will likely remember Hurricane Katrina, the deadly hurricane that ripped through the American Gulf Coast in 2005, causing over $81 billion dollars in damage and killing over 1,800 people. Katrina ranks as the most costly natural disaster in American history, and one from which the Gulf states are still struggling to recover. Depending on their ages, students may react to the news of disasters such as the earthquake in Japan and Hurricane Katrina in different ways. Younger students look for reassurance of their own personal safety and that of their families, while older students want to understand how such catastrophes occur, what can be done to prevent them, and how they can help the affected communities.
Last fall, Peggy and I wrote columns on natural disasters, specifically on how to prepare for one and how to respond should a disaster occur. In my column, I offered resources on safety preparations, community rebuilding, and how the human body physically reacts in response to traumatic events such as a natural disaster. In Peggy’s companion column, she offered excellent ideas on how to tackle this often difficult topic in the classroom. I encourage you to take a look at them both.
This week, I’m featuring all-new resources for all ages on disaster relief and emergency management in the wake of a natural disaster. Throughout the week, I’ll be featuring many additional lessons and activities on our Facebook and Twitter pages, all focusing on disaster relief and how such disasters affect our communities. Finally, on behalf of the entire Gateway team, I’d like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to everyone in Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be Disaster Safe: Emergency Management
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-18.6119251528
Subjects: Health, Safety, Government
Grade: 3-5
In this lesson, students learn that communities have systems in place and that agencies cooperate to take care of the community’s needs during emergencies and disasters. This lesson was produced by the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization since 1881. In addition to providing international and national emergency relief services, the Red Cross also offers safety information resources for parents, teachers, and students.
Dealing with Disasters
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.3870913061
Subjects: Geography, Earth science, Civics
Grade: 6-8
In this lesson, students will study potential natural hazards in their community, report on local hazards in small groups, and discuss community preparation and response for one or more of these forces of nature. This lesson is a product of National Geographic Xpeditions, part of the National Geographic Society. The site offers all kinds of lesson plans, daily global news, and interactive games that focus on geography and foreign cultures. This lesson is aligned to U.S. national geography standards.
Disaster Relief – Power, Generosity and Leadership
http://www.thegateway.org/browse/dcrecord.2011-03-16.8590214576
Subjects: Economics, Civics, Character Education
Grade 9-12
Students will research problems caused by a natural disaster and cite examples of aid provided in an effort to help those devastated populations. They will investigate the role of the four economic sectors in responding to the needs. They will participate in a collection campaign or other service project and learn about organizations to which they can contribute their philanthropy. Students carry out the project, track their results, advocate for the cause, and reflect on their participation. This lesson was produced by Learning to Give, the curriculum arm of The LEAGUE, which is a school-based system that combines lesson plans with community service events. This lesson is aligned to national, state, and some international education standards.
~Joann's Picks - 3/25/11~
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