Lesson plan for: Science Unit 2 Lesson 12: Earthquakes

Date: 2/26/16
Benchmarks/Core Standards
E.SE.03.22 Identify and describe natural causes of change in
the Earths surface (erosion, glaciers, volcanoes, landslides, and
earthquakes).
Objective for this lesson:
Students will be able to
Identify and describe earthquakes as natural causes of change in
the Earths surface.
Anticipatory Set:
Show the video
https://jr.brainpop.com/science/land/fastlandchanges/ to
introduce earthquakes and volcanoes.
*Make sure to tell students that earthquakes cause rapid
changes to the Earths surface.
Direct Instruction:
1. Create a simple demonstration of an earthquake to help students
generate ideas about earthquakes. Move two desks together with
a few items on each desk. Move the desk rapidly against one
another and have the students observe what happens to the
items on the desk.
2. Ask students for ideas of how to make a model of an earthquake.
Guided Practice:
1. Show the students the materials on the table are what they will
be using in teams of 2 to build a model that simulates an
earthquake.
2. Demonstrate how to put the model together and explain that the
cardboard represents the shifting of the rock or plates beneath
the surface of the Earth.
3. The students can choose which soil to place on top of the
cardboard plates.
4. Students will tape the cardboard pieces together; they can
choose to have a large tape gap or very small gap.
5. Tie one piece of yarn into each hole in the cardboard. Tape the
cardboard pieces together along the sides without holes.
6. Place the cardboard pieces on the cookie sheet. Place the earth
materials over the top of the cardboard pieces. Make sure the
earth material is completely covering both pieces.

7. With your partner, gently begin to pull outward on the yarn and
observe as it simulates an earthquake.
8. Continue to pull on the yarn until the tape breaks and you have
changed the surface of your model.
9. Draw and write your observations of the models of an
earthquake.
Closure:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov
Visit this site to talk about how often earthquakes occur.
Independent Practice:
Students will complete Student Journal 12 as well as the Exit
Ticket in itsLearning.
Materials Required:
For each team of 2:
2 rectangular pieces of cardboard, 5" x 7"
1 cookie sheet 0" x 13"
soil mixture
For the class:
sand
silt
clay
soil
gravel
yarn
box of toothpicks
Teacher provides:
tape
water
hole punch
Self-Reflection/Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on their participation and exit ticket.