I believe that models are a great way for students to learn and understand a concept. I chose to work with my students on earthquakes and the effect it can have on the environment. I had my students complete an activity where they built a skyscraper and then simulated an earthquake. They had to draw a picture of what their skyscraper looked like and what effect the earthquake had on their building. the next step was to reconstruct the building and reinforce it to with stand an earthquake. Then they followed the same steps as the first building. We also made a seismograph printout. The students simulated a small earthquake and tehn a major earth quake. we discussed the differences in the readings and the possible effects each earthquake would have in our area.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your students were engaged and had fun! I can't wait to see how the seismograph was made :) Amy
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to engage students in natural disasters. I'm also interested in how you were able to create the seismographs (please share).
Thanks, you students look like they are really having fun with this activity.
Candace
Thank you ladies. In order to complete the seismograph I had the students to wind a piece of paper( about 36 in long) around a pencil.To start you stretched the paper across the book. One student held the pencil against the side of the book with one hand (make sure that the paper could be pulled across slowly) and placed a marker on the paper that was stretched across the book.One student was responsible for shaking the book to simulate the earthquake while the third student pulled the paper across the book.This probably sounds confusing. I will post a picture of the lab activity paper on here also. It will be Tuesday before I can post it because the book is at school and we are on Fall break. My students loved this activity and really got into making the earthquakes.
ReplyDeleteShannon
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI came here to post specifically interested in the seismograph component, but apparently I'm not the only one interested in this! I also did my model related to earthquakes (bridges rather than skyscrapers) and would have loved to have a seismograph piece. :)
Janie