Increasing Awareness of Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions can occur anywhere and anytime. To increase awareness of these events it is important to teach students how these events happen. Some areas of the world are lucky, in terms of never having to experience these horrific events and the devastation that they leave behind. To connect students in understanding how these events affect real people everyday, all over the world, I will collaborate with the English teacher and have the students research the different types of natural disasters. The students will create a Power Point and present their information to the class. Upon completion of the presentations, the students will chose one disaster and decide how they can contribute to this area. Our 8th grade team will then find ways to help. It could be by collecting personal care items and sending them to the Red Cross for distribution to the area or the students may collect change at lunch and mail the money to the organization in need. I'm sure there are several possibilities, but it is important to teach children how groups of people need to come together to help others, as someday, we may be that group that needs help.
You have listed some wonderful possibilities for students to make contributions to those in need. I remember when the tsunami hit in Haiti. Many of our students contributed change that we gave to the Red Cross to be used for victims of the tragedy. The students were very anxious and willing to help those in need. We read kid-friendly articles to help them to comprehend the devastation that struck there and the perilous times the Haitian people were experiencing. Through the readings and discussions, many of the students developed wonderings about tsunamis and natural disasters that occur in our own state. This led to talking about tornadoes and how best to prepare for them. The students were actively engaged and learned alot from our experiences.
ReplyDeleteI must make a correction in my previous post. I spoke of a tsunami that hit Haiti, but I meant to say earthquake. It seems that with all my posts about flooding during our discussion this past week, I had tsunami on the brain. Please excuse this error.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree that using kid friendly articles is a good tool to get students involved in helping others. I like the idea of collecting change.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI think that you have an excellent idea in terms of utilizing the Red Cross, especially if students have the opportunity of interacting with members of the Red Cross directly. I also wanted to suggest a website that might be helpful in assisting students to reach out to others in need, both in their community and around the world:
http://www.dosomething.org/
Amy :)
Lynelle,
DeleteI love the idea of the research project followed up by students participating in disaster relief. I think students will feel empowered to be making an actual difference and helping with a genuine organization. It is a great way to connect real world experience to the activity.
Jennifer Lederle
Amy, Thanks for sharing the do something link. I have tried to look at it several times but it just keeps "thinking" and won't connect to the website. Lynelle
DeleteI also like the idea of sending personal items to the Red Cross. Sometimes when the students do these types of things they see the event in a more personal way. It becomes real for them.
ReplyDelete