5e Lesson Plan Science Landslides Final
5e Lesson Plan Science Landslides Final
5e Lesson Plan Science Landslides Final
Landslides
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Central Focus/Big Idea: How can we reduce the risk of a landslide occurring?
NC Essential Standard(s): 4.E.2.3: Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due
to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides,
volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.
Next Generation Science Standard(s): ESS3.B: Natural Hazards. A variety of hazards result
from natural processes (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions). Humans cannot
eliminate the hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts.
Instructional Objective: Students will investigate landslides. They will observe a landslide
video and then engage in an activity to further deepen their understanding.
Prior Knowledge (student): The students should know that there are both fast and slow
processes that changes the surface of the earth.
Accommodations for special need: Groups will be made up of mixed ability level. Pair up
students with any special needs with a buddy they work well with in the class that is on grade
level. Allow those who need additional support to fill out a lab worksheet with a partner.
Materials and Technology requirements:
Worksheets
Aluminum pans
Sand
Cups
Model houses
Paper
Collection of grass, pebbles and sticks
Poster paper
Markers
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/landslides?source=relatedvideo
Safety considerations: Students may get sand in their eyes if they are not careful. Go over rules
before handing out materials for the activity. Provide safety glasses to those who need them.
Content and Strategies (Procedure)
In your procedure, be sure to include all of the following 5 Es. Your procedure should be
detailed enough for a colleague to follow. If you will be relying on technology (e.g., a YouTube
video), describe your back up plan thoroughly. Imagine your most novice colleague needing to
teach from your plan. Dont just answer the questions. Additionally, I expect you to include
possible questions you could ask for each section. This needs to include higher-order questions.
Engage:
What is a landslide? Have students turn and talk with a partner.
As a class, we will watch a short video from national geographic about landslides.
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/landslides?source=relatedvideo
If the video does not work, make a KWL chart with students to find out what they already know
about landslides and what they want to know about landslides. What does the class already know
about landslides and what do they want to know/learn about landslides?
Explore:
Students will create their own house on a hill to observe a landslide. They will have to follow the
directions on the worksheet to do so. After they make their observations, they will have to form
and test a hypothesis on how to reduce the risk of a landslide occurring. After they form and test
their hypothesis, they will answer the questions through question 11.
While they are working, the teacher should walk around to help with any problems students
have. Make sure they understand what they are working on by asking questions.
What is a hypothesis?
Explanation:
Bring class back together to review what they just did.
What is a landslide?
What did you observe happened when you poured water on the hill but did not shake the pan?
What did you observe happened when you poured water on the hill and did shake the pan?
Did anybody form a hypothesis that was proven true after testing it?
What were some ways you came up with to reduce the risk of a landslide? Did it work?
Discuss possible causes of landslides. Provide some examples of areas that have experienced
either recent or frequent landslides.
Debate whether landslide areas should be developed. What should be done for areas already
developed that could help people survive a potential landslide?
Gravity Definition: The force of attraction exerted by a celestial body on objects at its surface;
the force that pulls material on the Earths surface toward the center of the Earth.
Context: Due to the force of gravity, material will always flow down a slope.
Elaborate:
On the bottom of the worksheet is an activity called Communicate Your Results. Students will
complete this activity in their small groups. They will be given poster paper to create a visual for
this portion.
Evaluate:
Students will be evaluated based off of their completed worksheet from the engage portion and the public
service announcement they created in groups. Worksheet will be graded for completeness and public
service announcement will be graded for creativity and inclusiveness for what they learned.
Reflection on lesson: