Teacher/Librarian Collaborative Unit Planning
Suzanne Carmody –Teacher Rachel Finch – Teacher Librarian
Earth Science - Geology Widefield High School
Unit of Study
Standards Addressed:
Earth Science –(Standard 3) The theory of
plate tectonics helps to explain geological,
physical, and geographical features of the earth.
(Standard 8) Natural hazards have local,
national and global impacts (volcanoes,
earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes,
thunderstorms, etc..
ISTE – (Standard 2) Students use digital media
and environments to communicate and work
collaboratively, including at a distance, to
support individual learning and contribute to the
learning of others. (Standard 3) Students apply
digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use
information. (Standard 4) Students use critical
thinking skills to plan and conduct research,
manage projects, solve problems, and make
informed decisions using appropriate digital
tools and resources.
Resources (include URLs):
Virtual Earthquake
www.sciencecourseware.org
Geology labs online
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
www.usgs,gov
Content Area
Essential Questions, Goals & Objectives:
Students will analyze and synthesize data.
Students will determine earthquake location.
Students will calculate epicenter using
triangulation.
Students will determine Richter’s magnitude.
Students will read latitude and longitude from a
map.
Students will evaluate information from a recent
earthquake.
Description of Culminating Task:
Students will work cooperatively to complete the
virtual earthquake activity, explaining how
epicenters are determined (triangulation).
Students will work independently on an
earthquake simulation to calculate how
epicenters are determined. Students will take an
online quiz to assess understanding. Students
will complete a worksheet evaluating information
from the USGS.
Assessment:
Earthquakes Epicenters and Magnitudes
worksheet
Online quiz
Haiti Earthquake worksheet
Extra Credit activity
Responsibilities: Teacher
Reserve computer lab and laptops.
Assist students
Assess Earthquakes Epicenters and Magnitudes
worksheet.
Oversee administration account to view student
assessment.
Responsibilities: Librarian
Complete simulation online
Edit Earthquakes Epicenters and Magnitudes
worksheet.
Create Haiti Worksheet.
Assist students
Assist in assessment of worksheet and quiz.
Proposed Learning Activities:
Virtual Lab
Cooperative learning
Independent work
Internet exploration and evaluation on recent
earthquake.
Instructional Strategies:
Cooperative learning
Independent study of reading, interpreting
charts/graphs.
Following instructions
Computer skills
Resource Distribution:
Lab reservations
Laptop computer reservations
Earthquakes Epicenters and Magnitudes
worksheet.
Haiti Worksheet
Planning Times: February 3 8:20 – 9 a.m., February 8 8:25 – 9 a.m.
Lab Time Needed: 1 class period
Computer on Wheels needed for 1 class period
Evaluation
Being an elementary teacher I was stretching myself teaching high school science, but I thoroughly
enjoyed the experience. Suzanne Carmody and I worked very well together and made a great team. The
students were actively engaged in the laptop simulation of an earthquake and worked well in cooperative
learning groups. The second day the students completed the quiz and analysis independently and seemed to
enjoy the tasks. Many of the students chose to complete additional simulations for extra credit. Below are the
objectives and assessment results from the quiz:
Learning Objectives Learning Outcome
1 Estimating distance between epicenter and recording station GOOD . Overall, students scored 86%* on this objective.



97% of students could read S-P lag time on a seismogram (Question 1)
97% of students could interpret a travel time curve (Question 3)
69% of students understood the relationship between distance and S-P lag time (Question 9)
2 Determining Richter's magnitude GOOD . Overall, students scored 86%* on this objective.



94% of students could read wave amplitude on a seismogram (Question 2)
Students achieved 73% success in using Richter's nomogram (Questions 4, 5, & 6)
91% of students understood the relationship of distance and amplitude to magnitude (Question 10)
3 Reading Latitude and Longitude from a map EXCELLENT . Overall, students scored 91%* on this objective.
 100% of students could read wave points to the nearest degree (Question 7)
 83% of students could estimate the minutes between degree lines (Question 8)
Below is Suzanne Carmody’s evaluation of the collaborative lesson:
The geology lesson using computer technology to explore, analyze, and
evaluate earthquakes and their epicenter location was taken to a much
higher level this year because of Rachel. I feel that the students were
able to understand the basic and advanced version of "Virtual Earthquake"
much better this year than in years past. The students were able to take
the knowledge gained and applied through the technology and research and
better understand the recent Haiti earthquake. The students' experiences
through the entire lab process was more advanced and knowledgeable than in
past years with similar lessons.
Suzanne Carmody
Science Department
719-391-3157
Widefield High School
Name________________________________________________Period______Date_______________
Lesson: Earthquakes, Epicenters, and Magnitudes
(San Francisco Virtual Earthquake)
Page
#
Question
1A
What type of seismic wave arrives first?
How many seconds does each line on the graph represent?
Explain how you can tell this from the graph.
What is meant be the ‘S-P’ interval?
What are the S-P intervals?
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
Approximately how many kilometers does a S wave travel in one second?
1B
1C
1D
3
4A
4B
4C
4D
5B
What is the value of each line of distance on the graph?
How can you tell?
What are your distances?
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
What are the units for distance on the graph?
Look at the map of the epicenter. Do your three circles intersect in exactly the same
spot?
Should they meet in one place?
Why?
5C
When the three circles meet at one spot, what is the spot called?
5D
What factors may affect the accuracy of this method?
7A
What is the magnitude of an earthquake?
7B
How big does an earthquake measured on the Richter scale have to be to be felt by
people?
How would you describe maximum amplitude?
4E
5A
7C
7D
8A
8B
8C
9A
Can maximum amplitude be below the zero line as well as above it?
What magnitude is a standard Richter earthquake?
How much amplitude does a “Standard” earthquake have?
If the Richter magnitude goes from 3 to 4, by how many mm does the maximum
amplitude increase on the seismogram?
How much is each horizontal line worth for the amplitude?
9B
10
What is the maximum amplitude for each of your stations? (Don’t forget to estimate
between lines.)
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
What is your value? (Type in your value and CLICK on [Confirm Magnitude].
*If your Richter magnitude is correct, you will get a message congratulation you. If it is
incorrect, you will have to remeasure and reenter your figures.
Extra Complete the other Virtual Earthquakes and submit your certificates. (Southern
Credit California, Japan Region, and/or Mexico)
Recent Eathquakes in BAJA – California. Retrieved 5 Feb. 2010. http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/images/cahist_eqs.gif
Name_____________________________________________________Date_______________Period________
Haiti Earthquake
Directions: 1) Go to www.usgs.gov and type Haiti in Search USGS. 2) Click Magnitude 7.0 HAITI REGION 3) Read information on the tabs: Details, Summary, and Map. Complete the
following questions/activities.
1) What was the magnitude of the Haiti earthquake?_______________________________
2) Where was the epicenter of the earthquake?
Lattitude__________________________________Longitude__________________________________
3) List the locations of the four stations and the distances from the earthquake.
Station Location
Distance from earthquake (km)
4) How many people were
Killed?_____________________________Injured?___________________________
Displaced?____________________________________
5) What two plates did the Haiti earthquake occur between?
____________________________________________ ___________________________________________
6) According to the USGS how many aftershocks were located and at what magnitude did
they range?
Aftershocks____________________ Magnitude_______________________
7) Click on the Map tab and then the ShakeMap. Complete the chart below, reading the
Intensity Scale.
City
Santo Domingo
Saint Marc
Port-Au-Prince
Perceived Shaking
Potential Damage