First graders explore how earthquakes release energy in a set of hands-on activities. During the pre-lab, they discover how energy from an earthquake releases waves through the earth using a water-filled cup and pebbles. Youngsters then simulate an earthquake on a shaker table, listen to a story, and color a picture related to the story.

Concepts

earthquakes, wave energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Add the following terms to a word wall: earthquake, energy, wave, shake, moderate, strong, and weak
• Have learners compare and contrast volcanoes and earthquakes at the end of the labs

Classroom Considerations

• Earthquake by Franklyn Branley is required for the post-lab exercise, but you can substitute with other books
• Gather materials to create the shaker table prior to instruction
• The second in a series of four lessons that make up a unit on the plate tectonics cycle

Pros

• A workbook for the entire unit is included below
• Provides instructions for how to create a shaker table

Cons

• The post-lab activity lacks depth

Common Core

SL.1.1.a SL.1.2 SL.1.4