Merritt_Topic+2

In this lesson, students will understand the destruction and impact natural disasters can have on a society as a whole. I also want students to be able to make connections between the geography of an area to the events which have occurred throughout its existence. The study of earthquakes, particularly in South America, will help students see both similarities and differences in culture from what they experience in the U.S., particularly when a tragic event hits. Students will also be able to visually see what earthquakes leave behind, meaning all of its damage and clean up in town, through images.
 * 3.04 South America: Home to the largest earthquake recorded in history!**

First, I will explain the various natural disasters that hit certain regions, particularly South America. I will present basic terms and the potential impacts this may have on an entire culture. I will also describe the cultural, political, and economic affects of something such as an earthquake hitting I will then lead the students into the activity by using the document camera to display images from the destruction caused during an earthquake in Chile during the year 1960 (Some can be found here: [|Images from Chile Earthquake 1960]). Then students will be asked to act as a survivor of the largest recorded earthquake in the world, which was a magnitude 9.5. Students will write a letter to a loved one explaining the situation in their town and informing them of their safety and how the earthquake is impacting their personal life. There will be a list of questions provided so that students include proper detail and description.

I will be able to judge if the students have learned the material by checking for detail and accurate descriptions in the writing. I will also look for correctness, the impact the earthquake has had on the town, and creativity. If class time does not allow for completion of this assignment it will be homework and collected the following class period.


 * The ** largest recorded earthquake in the world ** was a magnitude 9.5 (Mw) in Chile on May 22, 1960.