Disasters! (Grades 4-8)

Students can learn about the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, compare the different theories of why dinosaurs became extinct, and track a hurricane with the compelling activities in this complete resource. Each section introduces students to a real-life disaster, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Johnstown Flood, the Los Angeles and Kobe earthquakes, and Hurricane Andrew, and then helps students fully explore each event, from reading historical accounts and debating the causes of an event to making models and conducting science experiments. Includes read-aloud plays, mapping and modeling activities, writing prompts, and more!

This book is divided into three sections: • Ancient Disasters, looks at disasters from long ago. The book opens, ironically enough, with a “doomsday” disaster by exploring the possible causes for the mass extinction of dinosaurs. The second disaster, The Wrath of Vesuvius, continues with a look at the volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii 2,000 years ago. • Man-Made Disasters, presents in-depth explorations of the Johnstown Flood and the wreck of the Titanic, two terrifying events in which human arrogance, combined with the cruelty of nature, resulted in terrible loss of life. • Natural Disasters, provides hands-on activities that explain earthquakes and hurricanes. The overarching theme of this section is that while nothing can prevent these natural events, people can prepare and be ready when they strike!