Your web browser (Safari 7) is out of date. For more security, comfort and the best experience on this site: Update your browser Ignore Activityengage EXTREME NATU RAL EVENTS What are extreme natural events? OVERVIEW Students brainstorm types of extreme natural events, describe the dangerous characteristics of each, and compare and contrast them. For the complete activity with media resources, visit: http://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/extreme-natural-events/ DIRECTIO NS 1. Activate students' prior knowledge about extreme natural events. Ask: What do you already know about extreme natural events? Have students brainstorm a list of extreme natural events around the world, such as: avalanches earthquakes wildfires flooding or drought hurricanes tornadoes volcanoes snowstorms or blizzards severe thunderstorms, hail Ask: What type is most likely to happen in our area? Then look at the photo gallery of extreme natural events. As you look at each photo, ask students if they or their families have ever experienced any of these conditions. Invite 1 of 6
volunteers to share their experiences. Ask: How did you protect yourself? How do you think you could have been better prepared? 2. Have pairs write descriptions of extreme natural events. Divide students into pairs. Show students photographs of natural disasters on the National Geographic Natural Disasters web page. For each image, ask pairs to write two captions to describe the event the image shows. Have pairs share their captions as you look at each photo as a class. As you look at each photo, ask: What makes this event "extreme"? What could be dangerous about this event? 3. Discuss how extreme natural events are the same and different. After students have looked at all of the photos, ask: How are some of the events the same? How are some of the events different? For example, students may point out that hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms all have strong winds and snowstorms. Avalanches and blizzards both have snow. Ask: Which extreme natural event do you think is most dangerous? Why? OBJECTIVES Subjects & Disciplines Geography Physical Geography Science Earth science 2 of 6
Learning Objectives Students will: discuss types of extreme natural events compare characteristics of extreme natural events Teaching Approach Learning-for-use Teaching Methods Discussions Multimedia instruction Writing Skills Summary This activity targets the following skills: Geographic Skills Acquiring Geographic Information Analyzing Geographic Information Organizing Geographic Information National Standards, Principles, and Practices N ATIO N A L COUN CIL FO R S O CIA L S TUDIES CURRICULUM 3 of 6
S TA N DA RDS Theme 3: People, Places, and Environments N ATIO N A L GEO GRA PH Y S TA N DA RDS Standard 7: The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface N ATIO N A L S CIEN CE EDUCATIO N S TA N DA RDS (K-4) Standard F-4: Changes in environments PREPARATIO N What You ll Need MATERIA LS YO U PRO V IDE Paper Pencils Pens REQ UIRED TECH N O LO GY Internet Access: Required Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector PH Y S ICA L S PA CE Classroom 4 of 6
GRO UPIN G Large-group instruction RES O URCES PRO V IDED: W EBS ITES National Geographic Environment: Natural Disasters RES O URCES PRO V IDED: IMA GES Extreme Natural Events BACKGROUND & VOCABUL ARY Background Information Extreme natural events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires can cause damage and harm to people, animals, and environments. Humans are better able to prepare for and recover from extreme natural events if they understand the dangers. Prior Knowledge [] Recommended Prior Activities Mapping Extreme Natural Events Preparing for Extreme Natural Events Vocabulary Term Part of Speech Definition 5 of 6
Term extreme natural event Part of Speech noun Definition short-term changes in the weather or environment that can have long-term effects, like a storm or earthquake. an event occurring naturally that has large-scale effects on natural noun the environment and people, such as a volcano, earthquake, disaster or hurricane. For Further Exploration Websites Ready.gov: Know the Facts 1996 2017 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved. 6 of 6