Destructive Natural Forces

 

Activity Structure:

Individual Projects Cooperative Group Projects Class Projects

 

Grade Level:	Six through eight
Duration:	One to two weeks
Content Areas:	Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Geography
Objectives:
Curriculum Correlation:	Language Arts I (Literature/Reading), II (Composition), III (Language/Word Study), and IV (Listening/Speaking/View)
Connecticut State Standards:	Language Arts: Reading Standards 1 and 2; Writing Standards 1 and 2; Listening, Viewing, and Speaking Standards 1 and 3
Technology Standards:	Fundamental Operations I, Applications II, Information Management/ Communications III

 

Resources:
Materials:	Internet Access Word processor FrontPage, a web editor Literature textbooks/novels
Internet Links:
CD-ROM Titles:
Books:
Videos:	National Geographic

 

Grade 6 Literature: "The Dog of Pompeii", Louis Untermeyer, short story, pp. 124-134, McDougal Littell, The Language of Literature, grade 6. Personal Connection: Has a destructive natural force--such as a brushfire, a tornado, a hurricane, or a flood--ever affected your community? Think about natural disasters you have experienced or heard about. How did people respond to the emergencies? How did people survive? Share memories and reflections with other members of your class. Then, as you read this story, compare those experiences of the citizens of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupts. Activity: Respond to the above questions on a sheet of paper or respond orally. Historical Connection: In A.D. 79, the volcanic mountain Vesuvius suddenly erupted. It poured tons of burning lava and ashes over the countryside and buried Pompeii, a nearby city, under 12 to 15 feet of ash and cinders. In 1748, a peasant digging in a vineyard in southern Italy struck a buried wall. The excavations that followed uncovered Pompeii. The remains of the city, well preserved by the ashes, present a clear picture of what life was like in the ancient Roman Empire. We know know how people dressed, how children were taught, and even how foods were prepared. Science Connection: Find out more about volcanoes. Where are they located? How are they formed? Why do they erupt? Research some of the most destructive volcanic eruptions, such as those of Krakatau, El Chichon, Mount Etna, and Mount St. Helens. Geography Connection: On a world map, mark the location of several active volcanoes. List of current active volcanoes. Internet Resources to use for this unit: A collection of photographs of the remains of Pompeii, including the amphitheater, a bakery, two fountains, and examples of murals. Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum - pictures and commentary on the effects of the Vesuvius eruption on Herculaneum and Pompeii. Pompeii Forum Project Volcano Links Earthquake Links Earthquakes! Discovery Channel Current Active Volcanoes Activities: Journal writing - Write an account of the final day in Pompeii from Tito's point of view, using only his sensory impressions of hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling. Creative writing - Naples and Pompeii lie on opposite sides of a large bay. Imagine that you are safely in Naples on the day Vesuvius erupts in A.D. 79. Write an eyewitness account of what you see happening to Pompeii. Click here for more detailed activities and lesson plans.

 

Grade 7 Literature: from Exploring the Titanic, Robert D. Ballard, pp. 577-589, McDougal Littell, The Language of Literature, grade 8. Personal Connection: The selection you are about to read is an account of the sinking of the great ship Titanic, a disaster that shocked the world. What other disasters do you know about? Brainstorm with your classmates, and list the disasters on a web like the one shown. Add any details that you know about any of the disasters. Activity: Respond to the above questions on a sheet of paper or respond orally. Historical Connection: You probably already know that the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg. Icebergs pose one of the greatest natural threats to ships. This is because the top of an iceberg gets smaller as it melts in the sun, but the underwater part, which is several times larger than the top, dissolves very slowly--and is nearly invisible. Every spring, a large number of icebergs travel through the sea lanes used by the ocean liners. The iceberg that sank the Titanic was probably a North Atlantic iceberg originating in Greenland. The wreck of the Titanic led to the establishment of the International Ice Patrol two years later. Using ships, lanes, and satellites, the patrol reports the locations of icebergs and predicts where they might be heading, in order to prevent other disasters at sea. Science Connection: How do ships as large as the Titanic float and stay upright? How do sailors navigate when out of sight of land? Working in small groups, research such topics as buyonacy, displacement, stability, and equipment. Combine your research to create a hands-on science display that demonstrates scientific principles such as how the forces of gravity and buoyancy affect the stability of a vessel. Internet Resources to use for this unit: Ocean Planet: Titanic FAQ This site explores questions about the Titanic, such as the circumstances of the death of Captain Edward Smith. The JASON Project: Titanic Page This page provides information about Ballard's expedition to discover the resting place of the Titanic. Contains photographs and numerous links to sources of information about the Titanic. AKO Titanic Virtual Trial - providing a lesson in the U.S. legal system through the process of a mock trial based on actual events from the Titanic disaster. Britannica Online: Titanic Titanic: The Legendary Voyage RMS Titanic, Inc. Deck Plans for the Titanic Images of Icebergs Live from the Titantic - Discovery Channel Tracking the Bergs That Did in Titanic - Discovery Channel Activities: Florida Writes - Persuasive Essay. The Titanic was evacuated traditionally--"women and children first." Write a draft of an essay in which you agree or disagree with this principle. Creative Writing - Write an advertisement for the Titantic, enticing people to travel on its maiden voyage. Before you begin, read the passage once more and include a detailed description of the ship and its features. Creative Writing - A ballad is a song or poem that tells a story. With a partner, write the lyrics to a ballad that tells the story of the Titanic. Lyrics to the hit song, My Heart Will Go On, by Celine Dion. Click here for more detailed activities and lesson plans.

 

Grade 8 Literature: "The Banana Tree", James Berry, short story, pp. 371-377, McDougal Littell, The Language of Literature, grade 8. "The Hurricane", Luis Pales Matos, poem, p. 377, McDougal Littell, The Language of Literature, grade 8. Personal Connection: Each year powerful storms called hurricanes cause death and destruction in many parts of the world. What do you know about hurricanes? Have you ever been caught in one yourself? With a small group of classmates, discuss your knowledge of hurricanes. Activity: Respond to the above questions on a sheet of paper or respond orally. Science Connection: If you lived in Jamaica, the setting of "The Banana Treet," you would probably would know a lot about hurricanes. Jamaica is an island nation in the Carribean Sea. It is located in one of the three regions where most of the world's hurricanes occur. Hurricanes develop from areas of low atmospheric pressure over warm ocean water. A hurricane produces torrents of rain and winds that swirl up to 150 miles per hour around a calm spot in the center, called the eye. The eye is about 20 miles in diameter and travels 10 to 15 miles per hour. Picking up strength and speed as it moves, the hurricane may generate large waves that flood nearby coasts. As the hurricane moves over land, it brings heavy rain and strong winds, which cease as the eye passes. Geographical Connection: The banana is an important food crop in many parts of the world. Find out which countries are the chief producers of bananas. What climate do they have? Visit the Chiquita homepage for the answer. Internet Resources to use for this unit: CIA World FactBook : Jamaica An excellent resource for information about the country's people, its geography, and its government. Jamaica: Provides general background information on the country. Reference links include a link to a current Jamaican newspaper. National Hurricane Center - prepares and distributes hurricane watches and warnings for the general public, and also prepares and distributes marine and military advisories for other users. Activities: Write a dialogue that might take place between Gustus and his father after Gustus's broken arm is treated. Personal Response - Have you ever, like Gustus, wanted something badly but been unable or unwilling to ask for it? Write a personal narrative in which you describe the situation and what happened.  Click here for more detailed activities and lesson plans.