1. Andrea Christensen
Grade: 5
Topic: Forces of Nature
This project will give students an insight into the impact of Natural Disasters on our environment
and lifestyles.
What is a natural disaster?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Give 4 examples of natural disasters.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do you or someone you know have any personal experiences with a natural disaster? Or have
you heard anything in the news about natural disasters?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disaster
Find out more about different natural disasters and explain how each of the following natural
disasters can be caused.
Earthquake____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Tsunami_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Tornado_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Volcano_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
http://library.thinkquest.org/16132/frames.html

2. Click on the link Earthquakes in the blue box on the left hand side of the page. Then find and list
the ten largest earthquakes since 1900.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
How many of the top ten earthquakes occurred in the last 10 years? ______
Out of the ten what is the percentage of earthquakes in the last ten years? ______
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775896.html
Read the passage and answer the questions
1. What natural disaster is the most deadly of all? __________________
2. How many earthquakes occur in the world each year? _____________________
3. What can be used to map and assess the damage to buildings? __________________
4. Is there an accurate way to predict earthquakes? _______
http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMD1LXJD1E_Earth_0.html
Find and watch the video “Tornadoes 101” It is under the section More About Natural Disasters.
After watching the video tell 3 things you learned about how tornados form.
1.
2.
3.
Explain what you would do if you were in a situation with a tornado.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/
Take the quiz and see how much you know about Volcanos!
How many did you get right? ______

3. http://library.thinkquest.org/J001382F/volcanoetest.htm
Read the article “Would Utah be ready to withstand a disaster?”
After reading the article fill in the chart below
________ Unprepared _________
________ > Hazard > _________
________ Prepared __________
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/605153890/Would-Utah-be-ready-to-withstand-a-
disaster.html
It is important to plan ahead in case there is ever a natural disaster. Read this passage about
planning ahead.
What are the three tips for what to do if you were at school?
1.
2.
3.
http://www.ready.gov/talk-it-out-activity
List 10 things that should be included in your basic emergency supply kit.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
http://www.ready.gov/build-kit-kids
Play this matching game to help you remember what you and your family should pack in your
emergency supply kit!
http://www.ready.gov/pack-it-game

4. Answer Sheet
What is a natural disaster?
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard.
Give 4 examples of natural disasters.
1. Flood
2. Earthquake
3. Volcano
4. Tornado
Do you or someone you know have any personal experiences with a natural disaster? Or have
you heard anything in the news about natural disasters?
Answers will vary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disaster
Find out more about different natural disasters and explain how each of the following natural
disasters can be caused.
Earthquake-An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden dislocation of
material within the earth's outer layer, or crust. When forces pushing on a mass of rock
overcome the friction holding the rock in place and blocks of rock slip against each other a
earthquake may occur.
Tsunami-A tidal wave is a large sea wave caused by a submarine earthquake or volcanic
explosion. When the ocean floor is tilted or offset during an earthquake, a set of waves is
created.
Tornado-Tornadoes are characterized by violent winds that swirl in a counter clockwise
direction north of the equator and clockwise south of the equator.
Volcano-A Volcano consists of a fissure in the earth's crust, above which a cone of volcanic
material has accumulated.
http://library.thinkquest.org/16132/frames.html
Click on the link Earthquakes in the blue box on the left hand side of the page. Then find and list
the ten largest earthquakes since 1900.
1. Chile
2. Prince William Sound, Alaska
3. Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands
4. Japan
5. Kamchatka
6. Off western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia
7. Off the coast of Ecuador

5. 8. Offshore Maule, Chile
9. Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands
10. Northern Sumatra, Indonesia
How many of the top ten earthquakes occurred in the last 10 years?4
Out of the ten what is the percentage of earthquakes in the last ten years? 40%
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775896.html
Read the passage and answer the questions
1. What natural disaster is the most deadly of all? Earthquake
2. How many earthquakes occur in the world each year? Several Million
3. What can be used to map and assess the damage to buildings? Radar
4. Is there an accurate way to predict earthquakes? No
http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMD1LXJD1E_Earth_0.html
Find and watch the video “Tornadoes 101” It is under the section More About Natural Disasters.
After watching the video tell 3 things you learned about how tornados form.
Answers will vary
Explain what you would do if you were in a situation with a tornado.
Answers will vary
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/
Take the quiz and see how much you know about Volcanos!
How many did you get right? ?/6
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001382F/volcanoetest.htm
Read the article “Would Utah be ready to withstand a disaster?”
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/605153890/Would-Utah-be-ready-to-withstand-a-
disaster.html
It is important to plan ahead in case there is ever a natural disaster. Read this passage about
planning ahead.
What are the three tips for what to do if you were at school?
1. Make sure your parents talk to your teacher or school principal about the school's
emergency plan.

6. 2. Depending on the unexpected event, your school may have a plan in place that will
have you stay in your classroom or go somewhere else.
3. The most important things you can do if an emergency happens while you are at
school are to stay calm and listen to the direction of your teachers or principal
http://www.ready.gov/talk-it-out-activity
List 10 things that should be included in your basic emergency supply kit.
1. Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking
and sanitation
2. Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
3. Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
and extra batteries for both
4. Flashlight and extra batteries
5. First aid kit
6. Whistle to signal for help
7. Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to
shelter-in-place
8. Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
9. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
10. Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
11. Local maps
http://www.ready.gov/build-kit-kids
Play this matching game to help you remember what you and your family should pack in your
emergency supply kit!
http://www.ready.gov/pack-it-game