To prepare students to understand the Essential Academic Learning Requirements

(EALRs) introduced at middle school, this series of lessons, used in conjunction

with the STC Land and Water Unit and/or the FOSS Landforms Unit, will
acquaint students to the changes to the earths surface caused by earthquakes,
landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
The Earths surface (crust and mantle) is in constant motion. This motion causes
crustal plates to move. (Note: The concept of crustal plates is a 6th 12th grade
Science Standard and therefore not addressed in this lesson.) Plates can grind into
each other, slide under and over each other, or even slide horizontally against each
other. As this occurs, rock is squeezed, bent or stretched causing stress to build
in the rocks. When this stress reaches a point where energy must be released, the
rock breaks and the plates lurch into new positions. This sudden release of energy
sends seismic (earthquake) waves rippling away from the breaking point in all
directions. We see the results of earthquakes in landslides, tsunamis, faults and
rifts.
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by a release
of energy stored in rocks. Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon. They are
happening all the time but are often not even noticed by people until they cause
visible damage.
Volcanoes also can occur as a result of plate movement. A volcano is a vent in
the surface of the Earth through which magma (molten rock called lava when
it reaches the surface) and associated gases, erupt. Volcano is also the term used
to describe the structure produced by material ejected through the vent. Materials
ejected from the vent could include:
cinderdark colored pieces of rock thrown from a volcano
pumicebubbly, frothy rock that is hardened
ashfne grained particles less than 2 mm across
Volcanoes can cause changes to the surface of the Earth in many ways. Of course
lava fows and ejection of cinder, pumice, and ash build up to create cones of
volcanoes and volcanic mountains. In addition, volcanic activity, such as basalt
foods, lay thick, dense layers of rock on the landscape. Volcanoes also trigger
mudfows, avalanches, and cracks or fssures in the Earths surface.
Some Processes that
Change the Earths Surface
PART ONE
BACKGROUND
SCIENCE
STANDARDS
There are excellent video clips of earthquakes, landslides and volcanoes found on
the National Geographic website, http://www.nationalgeographic.com. They would
make a powerful addition to this series of lessons; all are less than 4 minutes in
length.
FOR EACH STUDENT:
Science notebook
FOR CLASS:
Question Quilt 3 x 5 Index Cards or Post-it Notes
Earth Changes PowerPoint Earthquakes! by Time for Kids
with Barbara Collier
Set up PowerPoint or use colored transparencies on overhead projector.
Allow approximately 45 minutes for this lesson.
1. PREASSESSMENT
a. Review with students the elements of a Concept Map (center concept, main
ideas, and supporting details). Some students may not have worked with
concept maps before and will need additional support.
b. Ask students to create a concept map in their science notebook by starting
with a large oval in the center of a two-page spread. Label the center oval:
Processes that Change the Earths Surface. (Teacher models this.)
c. Remind students to create a new oval for each new main idea and
rectangles for each new supporting detail.
d. Ask students to think about what they have already learned in the Land &
Water unit (STC) or Landforms unit (FOSS). Add that information to the
concept map frst, in words or pictures.
e. Next, ask students to think of other ways (processes) that change the Earths
surface. Those main ideas need to be added as new ovals.
f. Finally, students should add any supporting details they think they know in
relation to each of the main ideas.
2. Show the Earth Changes PowerPoint or transparencies of the PowerPoint
slides. Discuss:
Changes caused to the Earths surface by volcanoes
Key vocabulary: magma, lava, cinder, pumice, ash, fault, landslide,
earthquake, volcano, tsunamis
Processes that change the Earths surface by earthquakes
Changes caused to the Earths surface by landslides
MATERIALS
PREPARATIONS
PROCEDURE
Volcanoes change the surface of the earth by erupting out matter.
(Note to Teacher: You may read these slides to your students, especially
to second language learners. Use the pictures to help these students
connect to the vocabulary.)
NOTE
Please pause to show the dramatic effects of the changes which
happened when Mt. St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980. This slide is
composed of two photos, which show before and after the eruption. The
animation settings are set to change with your mouse click.
You may have written different changes on your Concept Map but we
are focusing on these processes that change the earth quickly.
In this picture, your students will be able to observe damage to the
Earth as well as to man-made structures covering the Earth.
These are pictures of the road leading to Mt. Kilauea. The picture on the
left shows evidence of an earthquake. The picture on the right shows a
lava fow which is continually adding new rock.
(Note: The observations are based on what you actually see or observe
whereas inferences are things you reason from those known facts.)
Different types of volcanoes emit different types of material. Some
volcanoes erupt with slow and continuous lava fows, some explode
sending cinder, pumice, and ash into the air to fall to the earth and
some volcanoes have lava fows along with a release of cinder, pumice
and ash.
Earthquakes are caused by the constant motion of the Earths surface.
This motion creates build up and release of energy stored in rocks at
and near the Earths surface. Earthquakes are the sudden rapid shaking
of the earth as this energy is released.
A tsunami is a very large ocean wave caused by an underwater
earthquake or volcanic eruption.
There are forces deep underground and on the surface that are always
changing the Earth.
A landslide is a mass of rocks, soil and debris that suddenly slides down
a slope. A landslide can be caused by rocks breaking from an outcrop
and tumbling down a cliff, heavy rains soaking the ground causing mud
to fow down a hillside, or an earthquake shaking the ground causing it
to move down a steep slope.
Use this slide as an opportunity to tie into regional events.
As each picture appears, briefy review to check for student
understanding.
3. Think-pair-share: Ask students to think quietly for a minute about what
they noticed. Next have them turn to a partner and share what changes they
observed. Finally have partner groups share with the whole group what they
noticed about changes to:
Land
Man-made structures
Vegetation
4. Have students turn back to their concept map and add any new information
about processes that change the Earths surface. New information should be
highlighted with a colored pencil. This is a good opportunity for the teacher to
circulate, questioning students about elements of their concept map.
5. Invite students to record questions on Index Cards or Post-It Notes as they
arise throughout the lesson (one question per card/post-it). These can be
added to a Question Quilt which has been created for the classroom. Note:
The Question Quilt is a living document that can be updated throughout the
lessons. Periodically check for answers to posted questions, and gather any
new questions from your students.
6. Read aloud and discuss the book Earthquakes!
Focus students with the following questions which the teacher should have
written and attached to the Question Quilt:
How do earthquakes change the surface of the Earth?
What are ways people might know an earthquake is about to occur?
What tools do scientists use to predict and measure earthquakes?
7. Have students turn back to their concept map and add any new information
(highlight) about processes that change the Earths surface.
8. Visit the Question Quilt have all of the questions been answered? Are there
any new questions? Attach answers below the associated question.