Natural Disasters Integrated Theme Unit By Kristen Box, Felicia Mack, & Rachel McIntosh

Unit Summary The objective of this thematic unit is to cover a variety of topics related to natural disasters. This is very relevant in our society today because we have all been affected by the earthquake in Haiti and subsequence earthquakes around the world. Also, in the area of the country where we live we are in danger of hurricanes, storms, and flooding. In science the focus will be on emergency plans and identifying different natural disasters. We will discuss earthquakes and how they happen. The students will make emergency plans for their own families. We will discuss the earthquake in Haiti and other natural disasters the students have been through. In language arts the children will think creatively and write Haiku poems based on vocabulary words and concepts they learn about natural disasters. The poems will explore their feelings on different natural disasters. Using technology, the students will prepare and present to the class power points on natural disasters. In math the students will do a variety of exercises concerning earthquakes. Researching data from earthquakes from the last five years the students will graph the results of their findings. The students will also compare earthquakes and use different graphs such as line graphs and bar graphs to analyze the results.

Natural Disasters Math Language Arts Science What is an earthquake? Design a family preparedness plan. Identify emergency plans and procedures for natural disasters. Identify natural disasters. Write a Haiku poem about natural disasters. Identify vocabulary related to natural disasters and earthquakes. Make a graph of an earthquake using data of date and size. Compare two earthquakes by using a bar graph and a line graph. Create a scale using positive and negative numbers to access the damage of an earthquake.

Learning Goals Science To show earthquakes and explain what causes them and explain different fault types To identify different natural disasters To identify and prepare emergency preparedness plans Language Arts To have students write Haiku poems Create a Power Point and present it to the class To learn vocabulary associated with natural disasters Math To create a scale from historical numerical data on earthquakes in the past five years To create a scale to assess the damage of earthquakes Using a bar graph to compare two earthquakes

Student Learning Outcomes SCIENCE 1. Identify an emergency plan and a procedure for severe weather and natural disasters with 80% accuracy. 2. Design and plan a family preparedness plan for their family using a rubric with 80% accuracy. 3. Create a poster identifying different natural disasters using a rubric with 80% accuracy. 4. Identify What causes earthquakes with 80% accuracy. LANGUAGE ARTS 1.Given an example of a Haiku, students will write their own Haiku poem about natural disasters with 90% accuracy. 2. Given an introduction on Power Point, students will work collaboratively to present their natural disaster to the class. Students will be assessed by a rubric with 80% accuracy. 3. Given a word list, student will be able to define vocabulary words with 90% accuracy.

Student Learning Outcomes Continued… MATH 1. Based on the historical numeric data given where all earthquakes from the last five years are listed by date and size, graphically depict this information, then describe what your graphic results show. (i.e.: is there any pattern the size of the earthquakes? do they happen with any predictability? what can you interpret from your line graph?) 2. Create a scale using both positive and negative numbers that can be used to assess the damage of each earthquake. Attach a number value to the most recent earthquake in Haiti and explain why you chose that value. This value should be consistent with the scale you create. 3. Compare two earthquakes visually using a bar graph to visually represent your comparison. Use the Richter scale ratings as your data points. Using the same two earthquakes you have chosen to represent in your bar graph, assign number values from the scale you created in problem two and create a line graph that visually depicts that damage number assigned to each earthquake.

Sunshine State Standards Science State Standards: 1. SC.5.E.7.In.g: Identify emergency plans and procedures for severe weather. 2. SC.5.E.7.7: Design a family preparedness plan for natural disasters and identify reasons for having such a plan. 3. SC.5.E.7.pa.d: Recognize examples of severe weather. 4. SC.5.P.10.2: Investigate and explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change. Language Arts State Standards: 1. LA : The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly. 2. LA :The student will listen and speak to gain and share information for a variety of purposes. 3. LA : The student will prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to audience and purpose. Math State Standards: 1. MA.5.A.4.2: Construct and describe a graph showing continuous data, such as a graph of a quantity that changes over time. 2. MA.5.A.6.3: Describe real-world situations using positive and negative numbers. 3. MA.5.S.7.1: Construct and analyze line graphs and double bar graphs.

Grade Level Expectations

Daily Schedule 7:30 Morning Work 7:50 Reading Block 9:20 Restroom 9:30 Special Area 10:00 Lang. Arts/ Spelling 10:30 Wash hands for lunch 10:36 Lunch 11:01 Restroom 11:15 Recess 11:30 Math 12:30 Science/Soc. Studies (snack) 1:00 ITU Unit 1:50 Pack up 2:00 Dismissal

MEDIA LIST  Computers with internet access  Power Point software  VCR  Overhead projector  Earthquake videos  Television

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans Continued

Culminating Activities “Fifth Grade Presents: Natural Disasters” Present at a Family Fun Night or PTA Night Students can host a Poetry Night to feature Haikus. Students can present Science Fair Projects. Students can show families how to measure an Earthquake.

Assessments Richter scale graphs Create a scale using positive and negative numbers Graph illustrating date and size of earthquake dates and magnitudes provided Design a family preparedness plan Short answer test Illustrate a poster Multiple choice test identifying causes of natural disasters. Power point Presentation Writing Haiku poems Vocabulary quiz Think-Pair-Write-Share

References