Lesson Plans

Stick-Slip Movement (FEMA Activity 2.1). Students will operate a model to observe the type of motion that occurs at a fault during an earthquake and explore the effects of several variables. (Standard 6, Objective 1. inquiry experiment.)

Land Use Debate/Town Meeting In cooperative learning groups students will study and analyze a current issue related to the use of resources of a local or regional area and debate the issue. Students will then write a letter to the appropriate source stating their viewpoint on the issue. (Standard 6, Objective 2. debate.)

Graphing Disasters in HistoryIn this activity, students will use research to determine the effects of natural disasters on human populations in this century. They will identify and graph information gathered from research. Students will use this information to prepare a research report on a natural disaster. (Standard 6, Objective 1. skill-builder.)

Folds in the Earth Students use clay to explore and discover why and how the folds of the earth are formed. (Standard 5, Objective 2)

Magic Black BoxStudents discover what is in a black box through careful observation, hypothesizing and testing. (Standard 5, Objective 3)

The Boss Model Building Oscillation Seismic Simulation: FEMA Seismic Sleuths Activity 4.3. In this activity, students will change variables to determine oscillation frequency of building models during simulated earthquakes. This activity requires the construction of a BOSS model. (Standard 6, Objective 1. inquiry experiment.)

Evaluating Earthquake Preparedness in Schools In this activity students will assess the school for earthquake safety and preparedness and orally report their findings. (Standard 6, Objective 1. inquiry experiment.)

What do you know about earthquakes? In this activity, students will assess their current knowledge about earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. (Standard 6, Objective 1. preassessment)

Settle Down! This activity allows students to determine how the material that makes up the Earth settles into layers. This activity can be used to promote inquiry about the composition of the Earth as well as to explore density, erosion, and deposition. (Objective 1, 2. INQUIRY ACTIVITY, inquiry/experiment/investigation.)

Assessments

Objective 3600-0501

Objective 3600-0502

Objective 3600-0503

Objective 3600-0601

Objective 3600-0602

Background/Content

Additional Resources

• 3600-0501 Summarize the systemic movement of Earths crust over geologic time.
• 3600-0502 Examine the effects of geologic processes on the surface of Earth.
• 3600-0503 Distinguish between theory, law, evidence, fact, and superstition.
• 3600-0601 Analyze how geologic processes affect other Earth systems.
  • University of Utah Seismograph Stations Provides photos, newspaper articles, and personal accounts of historic earthquakes in surrounding areas. This site also includes information about Utah's Earthquake threat, seismicity maps, etc.
• 3600-0602 Relate global and local geologic resources to the biosphere.
  • EarthEd: Earth Science Education Resources Provides curriculum (lesson plans, labs etc.) and information on science and the environment, earthquakes, volcanology, gems and minerals, as well as the "Ask a geologist" service.
  • The USGS Learning Web Earth Sciences Resource Site