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Maine Samplers Part II Natural Wonders and Disasters by Billy Goodman
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Little Brown, 1991 (A Planet Earth book) Summary: The earth has a split personality. Its natural forces build, but they also destroy. Over the span of millions of years scenes of awesome beauty like the Himalayas are created. (Did you know that the Himalayas are still growing, adding another foot every hundred years?) However, in just minutes incredible destruction can occur. (It took only 65 seconds for two earthquakes to destroy most of San Francisco in 1906!). A wealth of fascinating information is portrayed through pictures and text. This book will be as popular with students as A Kid's Guide to How to Save the Planet. Level: Grades 5+ Themes:
1. Since the beginning of time man has wondered about the earth and the changes that happen to it. Find the sections on tectonic plates and how mountains are formed (pages 12-13, page 48, page 52). Then read some creation myths. (Virginia Hamilton In the Beginning, Melvin Berger Jigsaw Continents, Seymour Simon, Volcanoes) Write a "creation myth" combining the scientific explanation of the continental plates with a mythological figure. (If some students have religious objections to this assignment, an alternate exercise is to research the controversy of the Scopes trial or other modern challenges to scientific theories. Take a stand and write an essay supporting the opinion.) [Information Skills: integrating concepts, search for relevant information, interpretation. Thinking Skills: synthesis, evaluation.] 2. The ancient Greeks made a list of the "Seven Wonders of the World." Since then, there have been many other similar lists. Look up the ancients' seven wonders in an encyclopedia. Try to find other lists to compare. Make a class book or database of world wonders and disasters. include: 7 natural wonders; 7 natural disasters; 7 man-made wonders; 7 man-made disasters Have the students make personal lists of their own "seven greatest triumphs and seven most embarrassing disasters." Discuss the Richter Scale for earthquakes. Create a class "Richter" scale to rank the class lists. [Information Skills: integrating concepts, search for relevant information, select and evaluate information, interpretation. Thinking skills: analysis, synthesis, evaluation] 3. On page 68 the author talks about how reforestation can prevent floods. Billy Goodman also wrote A Kid's Guide to How to Save the Planet. Read the section on Tropical Rain Forests. Find other books about ecology. (Vanishing Rain Forests, Paula Hogan, 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, Earth Works Group). Brainstorm other things kids can do to save forests. Write a letter to Goodman giving him your class suggestions. Write a persuasive article for your school newsletter or your local newspaper urging kids to follow your suggestions. [Information skills: search for relevant information, select and evaluate information, interpretation, organize information for application, apply information for intended purpose. Thinking skills: synthesis, evaluation] 4. The author gives some tips on safety during tornadoes. Choose one of the natural disasters outlined in the book. Design a poster warning about the dangers caused by the disaster. Outline steps people should follow to protect themselves. [Information Skills: select and evaluate informationThinking skills: knowledge, comprehension] 5. . Compare and contrast the effects of a natural disaster such as a volcano (Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helena, Patricia Lauber) with a man-made disaster like the Alaskan oil spill or the Persian Gulf War. Interview the adults in your family or neighborhood to see if any of them are survivors of a natural or man-made disaster. Use the Readers' Guide, Facts on File, The New York Times Index, Infotrac, etc.. [Information Skills: select and evaluate information. Thinking skills: analysis] Resources
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