Name:___________
Date: ___________
Geography 7
Unit 1:
Physical Patterns In A Changing World
Unit-Assignment
Natural Disaster Response Plan
Curriculum Expectations:
A1. Application: analyse some challenges and opportunities presented by the physical environment and
ways in which people have responded to them (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)
A2. Inquiry: use the geographic inquiry process to investigate the impact of natural events and/or human
activities that change the physical environment, exploring the impact from a geographic perspective
(FOCUS ON: Geographic Perspective)
A3. Understanding Geographic Context: demonstrate an understanding of significant patterns in Earth’s
physical features and of some natural processes and human activities that create and change those features
(FOCUS ON: Patterns and Trends; Spatial Significance)
Marking Scheme:
K/U
T/I
COMM
APP
TOTAL
/20
/20
/20
/20
/80
Feedback:
Specific Expectation:
A1.2 compare and contrast the perspectives of some different groups on the challenges and opportunities presented by the natural
environment.
A1.3 assess the physical environment in various locations around the world to determine which environment or environments
have the greatest impact on people.
A1.4 assess ways in which different peoples living in similar physical environments have responded to challenges and opportunities
presented by these environments and assessed the sustainability of these responses.
A2.1 formulate questions to guide investigations into the impact of natural events and/or human activities that change the physical
environment.
A2.2 gather and organize data and information from a variety of sources, on the impact of natural events and/or human activities that
change the physical environment, ensuring that their sources reflect more than one perspective.
A2.6 communicate the results of their inquiries, using appropriate vocabulary.
A3.1 identify the location and describe the physical characteristics of various landforms.
A3.2 describe some key natural processes and human activities.
A3.4 describe patterns and physical characteristics of some major water bodies and systems around the world.
A3.6 describe patterns and characteristics of major climate regions around the world.
A3.7 describe some key natural processes and other factors, including human activities.
A3.11 describe how different aspects of the physical environment interact with each other in two or more regions of the world.
Success Criteria:
 I have described the physical characteristics of various landforms ;
 I identified some key natural processes and other factors, including human activities;
 I have described how different aspects of the physical environment interact with each other in
two or more regions of the world.
 I have designed a natural disaster response plan;
 I considered what actions should be before, during and after disaster;
 I have described what can be done to help prevent the disaster from taking place;
 I have explained how it can be possible to reduce the effects of the disaster;
 I can identify the ways that can be used effectively, to improve conditions before a disaster
happens;
 I have described well how we can deal with problems during the disaster;
 I have demonstrated the ways to get community back to normal after the disaster;
 I have communicated the results of their inquiries, using appropriate vocabulary;
Information:
A Natural Disaster Response Plan:
Q. What is natural disaster?
A natural disaster can be defined as: “A major event brought about by the natural
processes of the Earth that causes widespread destruction to the environment and
loss of life.” Natural disasters often cause destruction on a massive scale.
Q. What is a disaster response plan ?
A Natural Disaster is a damaging event caused by natural processes of Earth, such as
an earthquake. Natural disasters cause damage to the environment, as well as injuries
and death. One of the strategies that communicates use to help reduce harm is to
create a natural disaster response plan. These plans are created before a disaster has
even happened. A disaster plan includes different ways to prevent a disaster from
happening. It also identifies what people should do if there is a disaster.
Q. Why disaster response plan is important?
An emergency plan specifies procedures for handling sudden or unexpected situations.
The objective is to be prepared to: Prevent fatalities and injuries. Reduce damage to
buildings, stock, and equipment.
Q. What are the 7 types of natural disasters?
Natural Disasters:

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Tornadoes and Severe Storms.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms.
Floods.
Wildfires.
Earthquakes.
Drought.
Q. Why is it important for geographers to study natural disasters?
Equipped with this perspective, geographers were able to broaden their view of both
the causes of hazards and the consequences and to more fully understand the oftenlimited options available to people exposed to dangerous conditions.
Q. What is the most important thing to do in a natural disaster?
If you have not been ordered to evacuate, stay in a safe area or shelter during a
natural disaster. In your home, a safe area may be a ground floor interior room, closet
or bathroom. Be sure you have access to your survival kit in case you are in an
emergency event that lasts several days.
Q. What are the three stages of disaster response?
The three phases of a disaster program are disaster planning, disaster management
and disaster recovery.
 Disasters can strike at any moment, with little notice.
In order to protect your home and family, it is important to be prepared and have a
plan in place. The family preparedness plan contains four steps that families should
take to be ready for any disaster.
 Identify hazards:

Identify what types of disasters are most likely to happen in your area and learn
about how to prepare for each (See Disaster Preparedness Series: Disaster
Information).

Learn about your community’s warning system and signals (sirens, text
messages, etc.).

Consider purchasing a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
weather radio. This radio broadcasts official warnings, watches, advisories,
forecasts, and other hazards 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Identify local organizations that perform emergency management (Red
Cross/Red Crescent, non-profits, etc.) and know how to contact them.

Educate yourself on any disaster plans in place at your workplace, children’s
school, or other places you and your family spend time.

Hold a family meeting:

Meet with your family to discuss why it is important to be prepared.

Review the types of disasters that are most likely to occur, and explain what to
do in each situation.

Assign responsibilities to each family member, and plan to work together as a
team.

Decide on locations where you will meet in case a disaster strikes:

Outside your home and neighborhood in case of a sudden emergency, such as
an earthquake or fire.

Outside your city in case, you cannot return home.

Discuss what to do in an evacuation and create a family evacuation plan.

If a family member is in the military or frequently away from home, plan how
you will respond if he or she is away when a disaster strikes.

Document how your family will communicate if a disaster strikes and create
a family communications plan.

If anyone in your family has a disability or special needs, adjust your plan
accordingly.

Be sure to include your family pets in your plan.

Prepare:

Assemble a disaster supply kit.

Locate safe places in your home for each type of disaster.

Determine the best evacuation routes from your home.

Become trained in first aid and CPR.

Show each family member how and where to shut off utilities (water, gas,
electricity).

Make a complete inventory of your home and property.

Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher and where to find one.

Post emergency contacts (friends, family, neighbors, police, fire, etc.) on the
refrigerator.
Practice your plan:

Practice your plan with your family on a regular basis (every six months).

Check your disaster supply kit every three months.

Replace stored water and food every three months.

Update any emergency contact info as changes occur.
Additional resources:



“How to prepare for emergencies” and trainings and certifications from the
American Red Cross
“Make a plan” from Ready Campaign
Federal Emergency Management Agency
TASK:
You are required to design a natural disaster response plan. As you have learned in Unit
1, about natural disasters, and the physical environment. You can use this information
to develop your plan. For your help, an additional information sheet about a natural
disaster response plan is also given with this task.
To design a natural disaster response plan, you should focus on:
o What to consider:
To design a disaster response plan, you need to consider what your actions should be
before , during, and after disaster. You have to consider these questions in your
planning.
o Prevention:
What can be done to help prevent the disaster from taking place?
o Mitigation:
What can be done to reduce the effects of the disaster?
o Preparedness:
What preparations can be made before a disaster happens so everyone can work
effectively to improve conditions?
o Response:
What can be done during the disaster to deal with problems?
o Recovery:
What can be done to get the community back to normal?
You need to make sure that ……..,




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your disaster response plan should be understandable to the audience,
it should be in report format and typed correctly,
some graphics, photos or illustrations should be included,
related facts and data should be included,
report structure should include
1. executive summery
2. introduction
3. body
4. conclusion
 Spend some time making the report accessible and enjoyable to read.
 Evaluation and Conclusion.
RUBRIC
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
demonstrates
limited knowledge some knowledge
about the natural
about the natural
disaster response
disaster response
plan
plan
demonstrates
considerable
knowledge about
the natural
disaster response
plan
demonstrates
through knowledge
about the natural
disaster response
plan
interpreting and
organizing
information in her
disaster response
plan, with limited
effectiveness
interpreting and
organizing
information in her
disaster response
plan, with some
effectiveness
interpreting and
organizing
information in her
disaster response
plan, with
considerable
effectiveness
interpreting and
organizing
information in her
disaster response
plan, with high
degree effectiveness
organizes ideas
and communicate
the results of her
inquiries, using
appropriate
vocabulary, with
limited
effectiveness
Express and
organizes ideas
and communicate
the results of her
inquiries, using
appropriate
vocabulary, with
some
effectiveness
Express and
organizes ideas
and communicate
the results of her
inquiries, using
appropriate
vocabulary, with
considerable
effectiveness
Express and
organizes ideas and
communicate the
results of her
inquiries, using
appropriate
vocabulary, with
high degree
effectiveness
demonstrate her
awareness and
ability to apply
her learning about
natural disaster
response plan with
limited
effectiveness
demonstrate her
awareness and
ability to apply
her learning about
natural disaster
response plan
with some
effectiveness
demonstrate her
awareness and
ability to apply
her learning about
natural disaster
response plan with
considerable
effectiveness
demonstrate her
awareness and
ability to apply her
learning about
natural disaster
response plan with
high degree
effectiveness
Knowledge and demonstrates
Understanding
Thinking/
Inquiry
Communication Express and
Application