Modeling Plate Tectonics Lesson Reflection

I enjoyed teaching my lesson this week using scientific modeling.  I used graham crackers and frosting to model Earth's plates and their movements at different boundaries.  The students began by sharing what they knew about mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes on a KWL chart.  We watched a Brainpop video on plate tectonics and students recorded what they were wondering and wanted to know on their KWL.  Students had some difficulty developing questions, so next time I will record key words and phrases during the video then replay it for students to have a better grasp of the concepts.  Here's a photo of a completed KWL:

I gave students the materials for creating the model and a worksheet I created for them to record illustrations and explanations.  Students spread frosting on wax paper and placed graham crackers on top.  We pulled the plates apart (divergent boundary), pushed together to create mountains and volcanoes (convergent), and slid back and forth to create earthquakes (transform).  Here's photos of a some students modeling and their recording sheet:

Overall, the lesson went smoothly and was a good introductory lesson on constructive and destructive forces.  Students will continue learning about weathering, erosion, and deposition and can do independent research on volcanoes, mountains, earthquakes and tsunamis.  After recording what they learned on their KWL sheet, students got to the best part- EATING!

Teaching on Natural Disasters

For my application assignment this week I researched historical temperature data for my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.  I used data from my lifetieme (1983-2012) to help determine how global warming is affecting me.  A major indicator of global warming is more severe weather which ties in nicely with our other assignments this week on natural disasters.  Unfortunately, our students will have to deal with even more dangerous acts of nature as they get older and it is important that we educate them on what they can do to minimize the effects of global warming and how to be prepared and safe during severe weather. 

I found several engaging websites for students to find out more about global warming.  The EPA's site explains how greenhouse gases impact weather and why it's important for students.  It also informs students of what they can do now and how to prepare for the future (EPA, 2011).  NASA also has a very informative site and I really enjoyed the interactive lesson from eSchoolToday. 

Teaching students to be proactive toward global warming and natural disasters and to encourage others to do the same is critical.  Students can educate others on the importance of alternative energy and conservation.  Families can be better prepared for extreme weather from the information students share with them.  When disasters do strike, students should understand the need for compassion and assistance.  Learning to Give is a great resource for philanthropic education and Kid's Health offers more suggestions for how to help others.  I am proud of the efforts my school has done in disaster relief.  We held a penny drive for victims of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, a school supply drive for a local school that was flooded, and continued clothing and food drives for non-profit organizations in our community.  I firmly believe we must teach both a child's mind and heart, and reaching out to others is a significant act of selflessness that we could all use a little more of.