Earthquake in China, May 2008

The tragedy of the May 2008 earthquake in China may have your students wondering why such large catastrophes occur and how they might be affected by natural disasters. These resources will help you explain earthquakes and the resulting crises to your class. We have reference materials that explain the different causes of earthquakes, information on where earthquakes generally occur, and ways in which you and your class can help those affected by the destruction caused by the recent disaster in China.

General References Earthquakes Explore connections in mathematics and nature with this article on earthquakes. Earthquake Quiz This quiz will assess knowledge of earthquakes. Earthquakes and Volcanoes Through this activity students will learn that earthquakes and volcanoes occur where the earth's plates collide (lesson plan and background information included). Earthquake! The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 had far-reaching effects. Read about it and then explore the related activities. Activities & Worksheets Science and Technology: Earthquake! Students draw before and after pictures of the scene of an earthquake. Science, Technology and Society: Quake Meters This worksheet teaches students about the various ways that we can measure and predict earthquakes. Seismographs are discussed. Students are then asked to respond to the reading on an included worksheet. Reading Warm-Up 62 for Gr. 3 & 4: Science Teach your students about earthquakes while improving their reading comprehension skills. This printable warm-up includes a science reading passage and related questions. Earth Processes: Family Activity Suggest a family activity to parents that focuses on Earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics, and on vocabulary words related to Earth. Science and Language Arts: Earth Processes Students draw from a list of words, including such words as lithosphere and plate tectonics, to make a picture atlas of the earth's geologic history. Modeling the Effects of Fault Movements Students create a model to show the effects of strike-slip, normal, and reverse faults on a surface feature, such as a river, road, or fence. Assesses their understanding of the different types of stress that occur in Earth's crust, and the different kinds of faults these stresses cause. Scoring rubric and background notes included. Earthquake Waves In this activity, students create model buildings from toothpicks. Using Jell-O, sand, and modeling clay, they then simulate earthquake activity to test the stability of their structures. Modeling Plate Boundaries Students create a model for each of three types of plate boundaries: transform boundary, divergent boundary, and convergent boundary. Assesses their understanding of plate tectonics and plate boundaries. Scoring rubric and background notes included. Modeling Plate Movement Students develop a working model of plate divergence at the mid-ocean ridge and plate convergence at a trench. Assesses their understanding of the processes of sea-floor spreading, plate divergence, and plate convergence, which shape the ocean floor. Scoring rubric and background notes included. Earthquake Map Key Use this worksheet to help students read map keys. Safety Preparation Materials Survival Kits The best way to handle a disaster is to be prepared, as students learn in this printable. Getting Ready for Earthquakes Students answer questions about earthquake preparations and safety. They also learn about earthquakes in the developing world. Science, Technology and Society: Earthquakes Distribute a reading selection and an assignment on earthquake science, predictions, and safety.

Teaching Disasters & Crises Cause and Effect A cause and effect analysis is an attempt to understand why things happen as they do. Use this resource to help your students understand the effects of various events and actions, so they have a better grasp on the way the world operates. Helping Kids Cope in a Time of Crisis and Fear Peruse an article that is intended for parents, but has useful advice for teachers. It details, by age levels, how to explain horrific events to children. Impact of Disaster on Students with Exceptionalities How to prepare your exceptional students during disasters both on school campuses and in their respective communities. Intervention Strategies for Disaster How to prepare yourself and your class for disasters. Development of a Child's Understanding of Death An age breakdown of the development of children understanding death. More on Helping Students Deal with Crises Maps of Asia Show your students where China is located on one of these maps. Outline Map of Asia Map of Asia Political Map of Asia and the Pacific Islands Chinese Culture Chinese Calligraphy Combine painting, poetry, and calligraphy to create Chinese scrolls. Mooncakes Teach children about Chinese culture by baking traditional mooncake cookies. Happy New Year Lion Follow these steps to create three-dimensional paper sculptures of Chinese lions. Chinese Inventions Word Search Learn about the things we use in everyday life that were invented in China. Check your answers here. How the Chinese Use Insects Teach children about the different ways in which the Chinese use insects with a printable sheet. Charities Providing Aid to Earthquake Victims If you're students are interested in collecting money to donate to victims, or if you just want to help, these charities have specific funds dedicated to helping those affected by the 2008 China Earthquake. These groups are approved as four-star organizations by Charity Navigator, an independent business that evaluates charities to ensure your money is used as intended. Direct Relief International Mercy Corps Adventist Development and Relief Agency United Methodist Committee on Relief Other Natural Disasters Be prepared for future wide-scale natural disasters with lessons and materials on volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. Floods Hurricanes Tornadoes Tsunamis Volcanoes More Natural Disasters – Teacher Resources