Free School Disaster And Risk Reduction Lesson Plan for 3rd Grade Students

Topic: School disaster and risk reduction

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand what causes earthquakes and how they can be minimized or prevented.

Materials

• Pictures or video clips of recent earthquakes
• Maps showing the risk of earthquakes in different regions
• Earthquake simulation props (optional)

Warm-up

• Ask the students if they have ever felt an earthquake. Ask them to share their experiences and what they did to stay safe.
• Show the students pictures or video clips of recent earthquakes and ask them to discuss what they see and how the people in the videos might have been affected.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of earthquakes and their causes. Explain that earthquakes are caused by sudden movements of the Earth's tectonic plates, which are large pieces of the Earth's crust that fit together like a puzzle.
• Discuss what can be done to be prepared for an earthquake and how to stay safe during and after an earthquake. Emphasize the importance of having an emergency plan and kit for the family, as well as knowing the closest exit and how to safely get out of the building.
• Show the students pictures or video clips of different types of buildings and ask them to discuss how safe or unsafe these buildings might be during an earthquake, depending on their design and construction.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs to identify and label the different parts of a building (walls, floors, ceiling, windows, etc.). Then have them use graph paper to draw a rough sketch of a building and label the different parts they identified.
• Next, have the students use their imaginations to create a unique, earthquake-proof building by combining and modifying the different parts of different types of existing buildings. Encourage them to think about how the different parts of each building could be combined to create a stronger, safer structure.

Independent Practice

• Have students work in small groups to create a short skit or play that demonstrates how to respond to an earthquake. They should focus on a universal or basic response that everyone should know, such as dropping to the ground and covering their heads.
• Encourage students to think about how their skit or play could be entertaining and engaging while also conveying this important information.

Closure

• Have each group present their skit or play to the class. Encourage the rest of the class to ask questions and provide feedback.
• Review the key points of the lesson, including how to respond to an earthquake and the importance of practicing earthquake safety.

Assessment

• Observe the students as they practice their drop, cover, and hold on skills and offer feedback.
• Evaluate the skits and plays created by the students as examples of understanding and demonstrating earthquake safety practices.
• Administer a quiz to assess the students' understanding of earthquake facts, hazard prevention, and response strategies.