Lesson Plan: Earthquake! Are You Prepared?

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Have students create a dictionary of significant earthquake related terms: earthquake, tsunami, seismograph, fault, primary wave, secondary wave, epicentre, hypocentre, and magnitude. If they wish, they can find the definitions online at the National Resources Canada website, under Earth Sciences in the menu bar. Discuss the definitions as a class and clarify any terms.

Outline the Opportunity

Have the students watch, read, and listen to the clips on the topic Canada's Earthquakes and Tsunamis on the CBC Digital Archives website, paying particular attention to the clips titled "The threat to British Columbia" and "Surviving the big one". Place the students in groups of four and have them create a list of items that they would need for a Family Earthquake Preparedness Kit. For the purpose of this scenario, students will be at home with their families when the megathrust earthquake hits.

Revisit and Reflect

Invite students to share their lists. Use their suggestions to create a master list of items on the board. Compare the class list to the one listed on the website for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. What items did they miss? Ask: Why are those items necessary? What items did they include that weren't on the website? Ask: Why did you think those items were important?

Extension

The students can return to the National Resources Canada website to examine and assess the map of the most recent earthquakes in Canada. Ensure students understand the legend before they begin.