Notes for Teachers

This lesson was developed as an educational resource for Earth Science.

Students will research various natural hazards and determine if natural events that occur in one region of the planet affect other regions in general and California in particular.

Learners

The lesson is targeted toward secondary students studying Earth Science.  You may want to have your students view the PBS NOVA program, The Wave that Shook the World.  Teacher's Guide

Prior to beginning this lesson, students should have basic skill in word processing and in navigating the Internet.   Also, the teacher should familiarize students with Thinking Maps® as tools to organize their thoughts and illustrate their final product.

Curriculum Standards

Earth Science Grades 9-12

Energy in the Earth System:

6. Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather and depends on many factors. As a basis for understanding this concept:

a. Students know weather (in the short run) and climate (in the long run) involve the transfer of energy into and out of the atmosphere.

b. Students know the effects on climate of latitude, elevation, topography, and proximity to large bodies of water and cold or warm ocean currents.

c. Students know how Earth's climate has changed over time, corresponding to changes in Earth's geography, atmospheric composition, and other factors, such as solar radiation and plate movement.

California's Geology:

d. Students know how to analyze published geologic hazard maps of California and know how to use the map's information to identify evidence of geologic events of the past and predict geologic changes in the future.

Research and Technology (Language Arts)

• 1.3 Use clear research questions and suitable research methods (e.g., library, electronic media, personal interview) to elicit and present evidence from primary and secondary sources.
• 1.5 Synthesize information from multiple sources and identify complexities and discrepancies in the information and the different perspectives found in each medium.

National Education Technology Standards for Students

Resources Needed

To implement this WebQuest you will need:

• Computers with Internet access
• Word processing program
• Big 6 Assignment Organizer
• Concept mapping software such as Mind Manager or Inspiration would be helpful.
• A presentation software would be helpful
• Rubric for assessing the final presentation.

Resource links are provided to use as you guide your students through the process to complete this WebQuest