Sunday, January 17, 2010

A TEACHING MOMENT: EARTHQUAKES

By Chris Wilson
Editor-in-Geek

Standardized testing is coming fast. Missouri’s state standardized test, the MAP, is on our heels and everyone is always working year-round toward higher order thinking skills, reading and writing. I am working on several reading and writing lessons using nonfiction science comics. in order to help students be successful in life and on the tests. 
 


Young students are asking (and I suspect older students are quietly wondering) about the whys, hows, and whens of earthquakes. Everyone is trying to make sense of the horror and destruction in Haiti. We can raise money and write about how we feel – both great things – but we can also study the science behind earthquakes. 

I am working on a lesson plan for grades 3-4 using THE EARTH-SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES WITH MAX AXIOM, SUPER SCIENTIST from Capstone Publishing. It comes in several formats:

  • Hardcover
  • Softcover
  • Interactive CD (for interactive white boards (Smart Board and Promethius)
  • Combo (hardcover and interactive CD)

While this title will be the foundation for my elementary lesson, it could also be used as a supplemental book (differentiation) for middle school and high school students. 

My plan, as it stands right now, is for grades 3-4 to create a brochure, PowerPoint, blog post, poem, story or comic (using a online create-your-own-comic site) about earthquakes. Look for a review in the coming weeks.

1 comment:

Grant said...

Looking forward to see the final lesson plan!