By
Kristen Box, Felicia Mack, & Rachel McIntosh

The objective of this thematic unit is to cover a variety of topics related to natural disasters . This is very relevant in our society today because we have all been affected by the earthquake in Haiti and subsequence earthquakes around the world. Also , in the area of the country where we live we are in danger of hurricanes, storms, and flooding.
In science the focus will be on emergency plans and identifying different natural disasters. We will discuss earthquakes and how they happen. The students will make emergency plans for their own families. We will discuss the earthquake in Haiti and other natural disasters the students have been through.
In language arts the children will think creatively and write Haiku poems based on vocabulary words and concepts they learn about natural disasters. The poems will explore their feelings on different natural disasters. Using technology, the students will prepare and present to the class power points on natural disasters.
In math the students will do a variety of exercises concerning earthquakes.
Researching data from earthquakes from the last five years the students will graph the results of their findings. The students will also compare earthquakes and use different graphs such as line graphs and bar graphs to analyze the results.

M
A
J
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N
C
C
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S
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Make a graph of an earthquake using data of date and size.
Compare two earthquakes by using a bar graph and a line graph.
Create a scale using positive and negative numbers to access the damage of an earthquake .
What is an earthquake?
Math
Design a family preparedness plan.
Natural
Disasters
Language
Arts
Science
Write a Haiku poem about natural disasters .
Identify vocabulary related to natural disasters and earthquakes.
Identify vocabulary related to natural disasters and earthquakes.
Identify emergency plans and procedures for natural disasters.
Identify natural disasters.

Science
• To show earthquakes and explain what causes them and explain different fault types
• To identify different natural disasters
• To identify and prepare emergency preparedness plans
Language Arts
• To have students write Haiku poems
• Create a Power Point and present it to the class
• To learn vocabulary associated with natural disasters
Math
• To create a scale from historical numerical data on earthquakes in the past five years
• To create a scale to assess the damage of earthquakes
• Using a bar graph to compare two earthquakes

SCIENCE
1. Identify an emergency plan and a procedure for severe weather and natural disasters with 80% accuracy.
2. Design and plan a family preparedness plan for their family using a rubric with 80% accuracy.
3. Create a poster identifying different natural disasters using a rubric with 80% accuracy.
4. Identify What causes earthquakes with 80% accuracy.
LANGUAGE ARTS
1. Given an example of a Haiku, students will write their own Haiku poem about natural disasters with 90% accuracy.
2. Given an introduction on Power Point, students will work collaboratively to present their natural disaster to the class. Students will be assessed by a rubric with 80% accuracy.
3. Given a word list, student will be able to define vocabulary words with 90% accuracy.

MATH
1. Based on the historical numeric data given where all earthquakes from the last five years are listed by date and size, graphically depict this information, then describe what your graphic results show. (i.e.: is there any pattern the size of the earthquakes? do they happen with any predictability? what can you interpret from your line graph?)
2. Create a scale using both positive and negative numbers that can be used to assess the damage of each earthquake. Attach a number value to the most recent earthquake in Haiti and explain why you chose that value. This value should be consistent with the scale you create.
3. Compare two earthquakes visually using a bar graph to visually represent your comparison. Use the Richter scale ratings as your data points. Using the same two earthquakes you have chosen to represent in your bar graph, assign number values from the scale you created in problem two and create a line graph that visually depicts that damage number assigned to each earthquake.

Science State Standards:
1. SC.5.E.7.In.g: Identify emergency plans and procedures for severe weather.
2. SC.5.E.7.7: Design a family preparedness plan for natural disasters and identify reasons for having such a plan.
3. SC.5.E.7.pa.d: Recognize examples of severe weather.
4. SC.5.P.10.2: Investigate and explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change.
Language Arts State Standards:
1. LA.5.1.6.1 : The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly.
2. LA 5.5.2.1:The student will listen and speak to gain and share information for a variety of purposes.
3. LA.5.3.5.1 : The student will prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to audience and purpose.
Math State Standards:
1. MA.5.A.4.2: Construct and describe a graph showing continuous data, such as a graph of a quantity that changes over time.
2. MA.5.A.6.3: Describe real-world situations using positive and negative numbers.
3. MA.5.S.7.1: Construct and analyze line graphs and double bar graphs.

7:30 Morning Work
7:50 Reading Block
9:20 Restroom
9:30 Language Arts/Spelling
10:30 Wash hands for lunch
10:36 Lunch
11:01 Restroom
11:15 Recess
11:30 Math
12:30 Science/Soc. Studies
1:30 Restroom/ Snack
1:50 Pack up
2:00 Dismissal

Week 1-3
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Review Vocabulary on natural disasters
Think-Pair-Write-
Share work
Create Word Wall with vocabulary words
Define words and use them in a cloze worksheet
Make study flash vocabulary cards
Vocabulary quiz
Read book on haikus. Introduce vocabulary on haikus.
Read book on haikus. Introduce pattern and guided practice.
Read book on haikus.
Create haikus.
Revise and
Proofread haikus
Revise/Proofread haikus.
Publish haikus.
Introduce Power
Points
Create rough draft of Power Point slide
Revise and
Proofread Power
Point slides.
Type PowerPoint slides.
Presentations

 Computers with internet access
 Power Point
 VCR/TV
 DVD player
 Overhead projector
 Videos
 Books
 Laptops/Projector
 Smart Board
 Document Camera
 Safari Montage (website with access to numerous video clips)

Language Arts:
Natural Disaster Haiku Poems
Students will be provided samples of haikus. The students will be introduced to the definition and pattern of a haiku. Students will be given a haiku pattern for reference. Students will develop natural disaster haikus.
Students will view a tutorial on how to develop a PowerPoint. Students will discuss what criterion makes up a successful PowerPoint. Students will learn the criterion that needs to be included on their slide. Students will create a slide featuring their haiku poem on natural disasters.

Math

Science

“Fifth Grade Presents: Natural Disasters” Present at a Family Fun
Night or PTA Night
Students can host a Poetry Night to feature Haikus.
Students can present Science Fair Projects.
Students can show families how to measure an Earthquake.
Students can help raise donations for an organization like Red
Cross for the children in Haiti.

Richter scale graphs
Create a scale using positive and negative numbers
Graph illustrating date and size of earthquake
Design a family preparedness plan
Short answer test
Illustrate a poster
Multiple choice test identifying causes of natural disasters
Power point Presentation
Writing Haiku poems
Vocabulary quiz
Think-Pair-Write-Share

Books:
I Know What to Do: A Kids Guide to Natural Disasters, by Bonnie Mark
Dogku by Andrews Clement
Writing and Enjoying Haiku: A Hands-On Guide (2003) by William J. Higginson
Earthquakes: Poems from the Ground up by Lisa Westberg
Language Arts Handbook: SRA Imagine It. (2008). Columbus, OH:Mc Graw-Hill.
Moger, S.(2006). A Poem for Every Day!: An Anthology of 180 Poems With Activities to Enhance
Your Teaching(pp.60-75). New York: Scholastic

Websites: www.edhelper.com
Geology labs - virtual earthquake simulation: http://nemo.sciencecourseware.org/VirtualEarthquake/
National Earthquake Information Center: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/
FEMA for kids:Earthquakes - The Modified Mercalli Scale & The Richter Scale: http://www.fema.gov/kids/intense.htm#earthquakes
Every Place has its Faults http://www.tinynet.com/faults.html
Plot current earthquake data http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates3/en/studentactivity1.shtml

Earthquakes, www.nationalgeographic.com
Haiti in Ruins After Huge Earthquake, http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1001/100114haiti_earthquake.html
On Haiti's Earthquake: A Site for Teachers and Students. www.freelyeducate.com/2010/01/free-lesson-plans-and-educational-sites-on-haitiearthquakes.html
The Disaster Spot, http://weathereye.kgan.com/cadet/disaster/teachers.html
Video:
The Day the Earth shook, a NOVA broadcast, January 16, 1996
Nature's Fury -Culver City, CA Columbia Tristar 1996