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In Harm's Way: Natural Disasters in My Community
Eleventh graders research and debate natural disasters that have occurred in their community. They assess whether these natural disasters were avoidable or were accidents. They investigate the extent of insurance coverage for disasters.
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Earthquakes on the Surface
Students view topographic or relief maps of Southern California and discuss what they see. They make predictions based on the topography of the region.
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Earthquake Unit
Eighth graders watch the "Earth, the Environment & Beyond" video on earthquakes. Take notes and give an oral summary. They build a working, two dimensional model of a strike-slip, thrust, or normal fault.
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Volcanoes: Third Grade Lessons Plans and Activities
Discover how rocks are formed from volcanoes during a geology pre-lab activity. Third graders describe the volcanic rock samples and creating a model of Mt. Lassen, located in California. The lesson culminates in a discussion about how...
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Es un terremoto!
It's true! As your class reads the article, earthquakes are happening all around the world. Entice your Spanish class with this reading assignment, focusing on earthquakes, and assess their reading comprehension by having them answer the...
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Enrichment Lesson 2: Eyewitness Accounts
Pupils read first person accounts of earthquakes from 1886 to the present day and look for ways in which earthquakes affected the individuals as well as their communities.
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Shake, Rattle and Erupt
Young scholars study myths regarding four earthquakes myths. They receive a list of supplies each family should have at home to prepare for an earthquake and construct an "Earthquake Preparation" poster showing some of the most important...
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Learning from history: can it save lives?
Young scholars research and document lessons learned from this disaster, then compile and synthesize information. They write effectively for public education purposes and use visual communications tools
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Wellington Fault Field Trip
Students take a field trip to Harcourt Park in California to view the results of river erosion and an active fault line. In this science lesson plan, students go to different parts of the park to discuss the results.
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Faulty Movement
Students discover the faults throughout the Earth. They describe the different types of faults and how they are related to earthquakes. They build models of the faults.
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But They Never Told Me!
Students investigate how government legislates the protection of citizens from natural disasters such as earthquakes in California. They read the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Act and debate its pros and cons. They discuss how much...
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Disasters and Decision Making
Students compare the Northridge and Kobe earthquake. In groups, they identify the economic, political and culture decisions that were made according to the various cultures. They answer discussion questions and share their answers with...
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Fault Features
Students discuss the different kinds of faults in the earth's crust and examine photos of the San Adreas Fault. Working in groups, they experiment with fault making by placing fabric in a pan and filling the inside with wet dirt. When...
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Deforming Earth's Crust
A short and straightforward slideshow presentation is a great addition to your lesson on plate tectonics. With demonstrative diagrams and helpful facts, the presentation helps to reinforce a concept that can be a little tricky for...
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Identifying Text Structure
Work on identifying text structure with this thorough worksheet. After studying a diagram depicting six different text structures (compare/contrast, spatial, chronological, problem and solution, cause and effect, and order of...
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Volcanoes: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Introduce young geologists to types of volcanoes during the pre-lab. First graders explore how different liquids flow with an experiment on viscosity to simulate how different types of lava flow. Next, they learn about the parts of a...
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Proper Nouns
Use this worksheet to help your class identify proper nouns. They circle the proper nouns in 16 sentences. Answer key is provided.
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Plate Tectonics: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
A set of first grade geology lessons focuses on plate tectonics and movement of plate boundaries. During the pre-lab, learners experience three types of plate movement through a kinesthetic demonstration. The lab demonstrates stresses...
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Hazards: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Examine the environmental hazards associated with volcanoes with a three-part science lesson. In the pre-lab, first graders learn that gas, landslides, ash, and lava are all hazards that come from volcanoes. They then explore hazardous...
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Incorporating 3D Visualizations into Your Classroom
Students make observations through 3-D visualizations. They explore scientific and geologic processes through the use of 3-D pictures.
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Two Rivers Ran Through It
Sixth graders discover the problems that early Mesototamian farmers faced while developing agriculture in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They design a working model that solves those unique challenges.
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Volcanoes and People
Students discover that volcanic eruptions are geologic events that take place within the upper part and on the surface of the Earth's lithosphere. They explain how volcanoes are related to the Earth's lithosphere. They focus on the May...
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Oceanography Worksheet #1
If you are teaching physical oceanography to middle school earth scientists, here is a terrific multiple choice worksheet. Learners look at a diagram of a landscape created by glacial sediment deposition and the resulting ocean floor....
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Current Events Quiz #3
Useful as a blast from the past, this current events activity is outdated (Fall 2001). Many global events are part of these fifty questions, but quite a few of them are very specific to pop culture and sports. This could be helpful in a...