Lesson 1

Thinking About Catastrophic Events

Objectives

• Compare a globe to a map• Focus on Earth’s physical surface features and

atmospheric characteristics using a globe and map.

• Record where catastrophic events occur on the earth by making a written list of their locations and identifying them on a map.

• Describe why these catastrophic events occur where they do.

Lesson 1 Vocabulary

• Catastrophic event-are powerful and often dramatic forces that can profoundly affect our planet and the living things that inhabit it (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes)

• Map-a representation of the Earth on a flat surface

• Globe-spherical representation of the Earth

• Sphere-a round shape

Class Discussion

• Discuss with the class what you consider to be a “catastrophic event”. What natural events on the earth would you consider to be catastrophic?

• In your Science notebook, create a concept map like the one I have shown you. Individually, fill out your concept map listing all types of catastrophic events.

Create Your Own Concept Map

• A concept map is a type of graphic organizer.

• The center of your concept map should say catastrophic events.

• Brainstorm with your group, all of the different catastrophic events you can think of.

• Record your answers on your group’s map.

Using a Globe and a World MapImages of Earth

• During the lessons in Catastrophic Events, you will use a globe, together with a map of the world, to make and record some of your observations or the earth and its catastrophic events. A globe is a spherical model of the earth. A map shows the earth or parts of it, usually on a flat surface.

• Photographs such as the one below, taken from the spaceship Apollo 17, show how the earth looks from outer space. Look closely at the image. You can see the earth and some of its seven continents. Vast ocean surround the continents. Clouds, which usually cover about 50 percent of the earth’s surface, swirl above them.

• How did the continents form? Why do we have mountains and seas? Why did clouds swirl in the atmosphere? Answers to questions like these will help you understand the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, and storms on our active planet.

Compare and Contrast

• You will be given an inflatable globe. Look at it carefully. Discuss your general observations with your group. How is the globe different from the Apollo image of the Earth?

Science Notebook

• Answer these questions in your Science notebook:

A. Is there any evidence on the globe that the earth’s surfaces are active?

B. How might you use this globe to learn more about the catastrophic events you discussed earlier?

C. How might photographs of the earth take from space help scientists predict or monitor catastrophic events?

Catastrophic Events World Map

• Discuss with your group how it is like the globe.

• How is it different?

• How is the scale (or size of the objects in relation to the real thing) on the globe different from the scale on the map?

Group Assignment

• 1. Get 1 set each of 21 colored dots from your teacher (1 set of orange, green, blue,yellow, red)

2. Use the dots to record on your map where you think major catastrophic events might occur most frequently.

Use the key below:Tornado: orange Hurricane: greenEarthquake: blue Volcano: redOther: Yellow3. Share with the class the data your group

recorded on the map.

Reflecting on What We Have Done So Far

1. Answer the following questions:

A. Are any of the catastrophic events that you listed in your notebook or recorded on your world map related to each other in any way. If so, how?

B. Do any of these events help change the way the Earth looks over time? If so, which ones? Why do you think this?

Reflecting on What You Have Done So Far

• C. What information do you think can be learned about the earth by studying catastrophic events?

• D. How do you think catastrophic events affect people?

• E. How might scientists predict these events?

READ

• Read “How Scientists Study the Earth”• Answer these questions:• 1. What do you call someone who studies the earth’s

atmosphere?• 2. Tell the name of the instrument that measures the

following: a. measures temperature b. measures wind speed and direction 3. What do you call people who study earthquakes?4. What do you call someone who studies volcanoes?

Read Views From Space

After reading “Views From Space”, write down 5 facts that you have learned from reading this.