Science Lesson: Earthquakes
Standards:
A.4.5 When studying a science-related problem, decide what changes over time are occurring or have occurred
C.4.2 Use the science content being learned to ask questions, plan investigations, make observations, make predictions, and offer explanations
Prior Knowledge:
This is an introductory lesson to earthquakes, therefore the students would have no prior knowledge to the topic that would have been taught in class.
We will start with a class discussion where students will be able to share any knowledge they may have on their own.
Objectives:
Motivation:
To motivate the students and get them excited about earthquakes we will watch a short & exciting youtube clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrBaiPN6AW8
Procedures:
are as follows (8 mins)
7. Closing - Ask the class “Can I have 5 volunteers to share something they learned today, or what they liked most about the day.” (5 mins)
Assessment:
Collect each student's notebook and evaluate the quality of their predictions and observations.
Classroom Management:
During group read aloud time students have their designated spots to sit on the carpet.
For the group experiments use the following champs
C - Conversation level 2 = quiet talking
H - Help = raise your hand
A - Activity = make marshmallow formation, shake jello, use science notebook
M - Movement = stay by your group table (sitting or standing)
P - Participation = group work
S - Success = You will have a successful experiment modeling what could happen during an earthquake
Standards:
A.4.5 When studying a science-related problem, decide what changes over time are occurring or have occurred
C.4.2 Use the science content being learned to ask questions, plan investigations, make observations, make predictions, and offer explanations
Prior Knowledge:
This is an introductory lesson to earthquakes, therefore the students would have no prior knowledge to the topic that would have been taught in class.
We will start with a class discussion where students will be able to share any knowledge they may have on their own.
- What is an earthquake?
- Do we usually have them in WI?
- Do you think the could destroy houses or other large buildings?
Objectives:
- Students will gain a general understanding of what earthquakes are, how they happen, and the after affects.
- Students will be able to make predictions and observations of earthquake experiments.
Motivation:
To motivate the students and get them excited about earthquakes we will watch a short & exciting youtube clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrBaiPN6AW8
Procedures:
- Class discussion on prior knowledge (5 mins)
- Play the youtube earthquake clip to get students excited about learning (5 mins)
- Read Aloud Book about Earthquakes (10 mins)
- Jump Into Science: Earthquakes by Ellen J. Prager
are as follows (8 mins)
- What causes earthquakes?
- What is one cool fact you learned?
- Draw a picture of what could happen to a town if a high scale earthquake hit.
- Students will be split up into groups of 3 or 4
- Each group will receive mini marshmallows and toothpicks to create a structure
- Once the structures are built place them on a premade pan of jello
- Students will write predictions in their notebook as to what they think will happen when the pan pan is shaken like an earthquake. (explain to them to jello represents the ground)
- Each group will shake their pan for 1 min
- Next, in the notebook students will write 3 sentences about observations made.
- What happened to the ground?
- What happened to your structure?
- general physical observation
7. Closing - Ask the class “Can I have 5 volunteers to share something they learned today, or what they liked most about the day.” (5 mins)
Assessment:
Collect each student's notebook and evaluate the quality of their predictions and observations.
- Did they do it?
- Complete sentences?
- 3 sentences for the observation?
- Does it match with the picture
Classroom Management:
During group read aloud time students have their designated spots to sit on the carpet.
For the group experiments use the following champs
C - Conversation level 2 = quiet talking
H - Help = raise your hand
A - Activity = make marshmallow formation, shake jello, use science notebook
M - Movement = stay by your group table (sitting or standing)
P - Participation = group work
S - Success = You will have a successful experiment modeling what could happen during an earthquake