SketchUp+Lesson+Plan

Marlys Hauck-Fenner 8th grade science time frame: 2 weeks lesson title: Preparing for a natural disaster

Lesson summary:

__Indicator 5__: Students can access, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate informational texts. __8.R.5.3__ Students can combine new information with existing knowledge to enhance understanding. __8.S.1.1__ Students are able to describe how science and technology have been influenced by social needs, attitudes, and values. __8.S.2.1__ Students are able, given a scenario, to offer solutions to problems created by human activity on the local, regional, or global environment.
 * State Content Standards** addressed:
 * Reading**--
 * Science**--

__Strand 1, Indicator 4__: Students understand the purpose and demonstrate the use of the design process in problem solving. __Strand 3,Indicator 2:__ Students use technology to enhance learning, extend capability, and promote creativity. __Strand 5,Indicator 1__: Students use technology to locate and acquire information.
 * State Educational Technology Standards** addressed:

1.GA.1 Use 21st Century skills to understand and address global issues 2.C1.2 Develop, implement and communicate new ideas to others 2.CC.2 Demonstrate ability to work effectively with diverse groups 2.CC.3 Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal
 * 21st Century Skills/Themes** addressed:

Strategies that can teach any student: discussion project-based instruction technology visual aids (tutorials via You Tube)

Students will understand that: effects of natural disasters can be reduced by proper preparation, appropriate building types and building/city locations understanding the nature of weather and plate movement can help humans prepare for natural disasters

Essential questions: What effect do natural disasters have on buildings and living things? What choices can humans make to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

Technology & Web 2.0 resources needed: laptop computer carts Sketchup download Sketchup tutorials: [|Video Tutorials from Google] [|You tube tutorials]

Learning activities: Throughout the course of a year of earth science, students will learn about the dynamics of earth, atmosphere and space. To begin this learning project, students will be divided into groups of 3 and randomly assigned a "natural disaster". These will include hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, volcano, or mudslide. Using Internet sources, students will research their disaster to learn the type of damage caused and what could to reduce the damage caused by the disaster. They will summarize the information in a written report created on a wiki for collaboration purposes (graded). As a class, students will complete tutorials which will introduce Sketchup to them. After becoming familiar with the program, each team will design a building or other device which would protect inhabitants from their assigned disaster. (graded--rubric). These designs will be presented to the class, along with a verbal explanation of why they were chosen and the protection provided.

Assessment method: Students will be assessed on their written report, their disaster protection design and their ability to collaborate as a group.