Preparing for the Worst: Natural Disasters

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 2

4th Grade

Lesson 9 of 22

Objective


Describe the tools scientists use to measure earthquakes and why one form of measurement is not enough for measuring earthquakes.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Earthquakes by Seymour Simon  pp. 18 – 31

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What tools do scientists use to measure earthquakes? Why is one form of measurement not enough for measuring earthquakes?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How do scientists measure and compare the sizes of earthquakes? Is a seismograph alone enough to measure the damage of an earthquake? Why?

  • What information do scientists get from the Richter scale? 

  • Why do scientists also use the Mercalli Intensity Scale? What additional information does it provide?

  • To what extent are scientists able to predict and prepare for earthquakes? Why?

  • What damage can earthquakes cause? Give a specific example. 

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


immense

adj.

(p. 20)

very large

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.4.3 — Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
  • RI.4.5 — Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
  • RI.4.7 — Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RI.4.1
RI.4.4
RI.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10
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Lesson 8

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Lesson 10

Lesson Map

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