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www.topnotchteaching.com
Natural Disasters
Report Writing
Activities for
teaching your
students how to
write a report
using a Natural
Disaster theme
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
www.topnotchteaching.com
Natural Disasters - Report Writing A series of lessons to help your students write
reports.
By Melinda Crean of
Top Notch Teaching
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of the author.
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
www.topnotchteaching.com
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………… 4
Activity 1: Topic Wheels…………………………………….. 5
Activity 2: Interesting Words Chart……………………….. 12
Activity 3: Graphic Outlines……………………………….. 14
Activity 4: Data Charts……………………………………… 16
Activity 5: Framework for Reports………………………… 18
Activity 6: Project……………………………………………. 20
Credits…………………………………………………………. 27
4
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Introduction
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
This series of lessons introduces students to information
texts and how to use these texts to find information about
natural disasters in order to write a report.
The objectives of this unit are for students to:
Understand that reports are used to describe;
Use information texts to collect facts about natural
disasters; and
Write a report to describe a natural disaster.
The culmination of the series of lessons is for the students
to act as reporters for the 'National Geographic
Magazine'. With this in mind, the students are required to
design a section about a chosen natural disaster to be
included in a magazine. Their sections need to include:
cover page, title page, contents page, bibliography,
report and a choice of either pictures, labelled diagram,
map or eyewitness account.
On completion of the task students are required to reflect
on their learning. They use an assessment sheet to self
assess and peer assess the magazine sections.
For the class:
Giant class topic wheel
(example on pg. 6 & 7).
A variety of natural disaster
pictures, posters and books.
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
Activity 1: Topic Wheels
5
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For each student:
Individual topic wheel prompts
(pgs. 8-11).
A3 paper (ledger) for labelled
diagrams.
This activity is designed to find out what students may know about the
topic natural disasters. Students will also begin to explore information about
natural disasters.
Objectives
Students will:
List things they know about natural disasters;
List things they would like to find out about natural disasters; and
Draw a labelled diagram of a natural disaster.
Materials
Preparation
Place the relevant pictures, books and posters around the room.
Copy the topic wheel prompts on to colored paper. Each question
should be copied on a different colored sheet of paper. Cut apart the
prompts.
Make the giant class topic wheel and attach to a wall in the class.
Instructions
(Whole class) Have students sit in a large circle. Have a general discussion
with the students about natural disasters; ask for some examples of types
of natural disasters. Show students some of the books and posters.
Let students share some of their own experiences with different weather
phenomenon.
Ways I could find out Ways I could find out
Ways I could find out Ways I could find out
Ways I could find out Ways I could find out
Ways I could find out Ways I could find out
Copyright © Top Notch Teaching
Bo
ok
Title
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Graphic Outline Example
MAIN HEADING Volcano Erupts
MAP Area in Italy
SUB HEADING Most active volcano erupts
TEXT Paragraph describes the eruption of
a volcano
PICTURE Picture shows volcano erupting
SUMMARY Discusses what has been said before
Instructions cont...
(Partners) Students work with a partner to complete a graphic outline for
one of the natural disaster books. When finished have students share
their outlines in small groups.
(Whole class) Using the natural disaster book previously prepared,
discuss with the students the picture/diagram. Talk about what they
think it may be telling them.
(Individual) On lined paper or in work books have the students write the
text that could accompany the diagram.
(Whole class) Uncover the text and compare the students versions with
the actual text.
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
Activity 3: Graphic Outlines cont..
15
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Typ
e o
f n
atu
ral
dis
ast
er
Wh
at
is t
his
dis
ast
er?
Ho
w d
oe
s th
is
dis
ast
er
ha
pp
en
?
Wh
ere
do
es
this
d
isa
ste
r o
cc
ur?
Wh
at
are
so
me
of
the
aff
ec
ts o
f th
is
dis
ast
er?
Tsu
na
mi
A s
eq
ue
nc
e o
f h
ug
e
wa
ve
s.
Wh
en
an
ea
rth
qu
ake
o
r v
olc
an
o o
cc
urs
u
nd
er
the
oc
ea
n it
c
au
ses
hu
ge
wa
ve
s.
Pa
cific
Oc
ea
n
Ha
wa
ii
Ala
ska
Flo
od
ing
, d
est
ruc
tio
n
of
pro
pe
rty, p
eo
ple
take
n in
to t
he
se
a.
NA
ME
Data Cha
rt For
Natural
Disasters
Co
pyr
igh
t ©
To
p N
otc
h T
each
ing
HEADINGS KEY WORDS - SHORT NOTES
Classification
What type of disaster is
Description
How does it happen?
Characteristics of the disaster, e.g. wind speed, rainfall, Richter scale, wave heights, temperatures.
Place/Time
Where does this disaster happen?
When does this disaster happen?
Dynamics
What does this disaster do?
What are some of the effects of this disaster?, e.g. flooding, destruc-tion.
Summarising comment
Report Plan Title:
Copyright © Top Notch Teaching
Natural Disasters
Project Brief
Copyright © Top Notch Teaching
Types of Natural Disasters:
Tsunami
Earthquake
Tornado
Cyclone
Volcano
Hurricane
Avalanche
Drought
Flood
Bush fire
Landslide
NAME:
Natural Disasters
Project Brief
Copyright © Top Notch Teaching
You are a reporter for the National Geographic
Magazine. You are sent to cover some weather
phenomena happening in your area. You need to
investigate and report on a natural disaster (tsunami,
earthquake, tornado, cyclone, volcano, hurricane,
avalanche, drought, flood, bush fire or landslide).
Your readers are very interested in finding information
on natural disasters and seeing some awesome
pictures of these occurrences.
Your Task
You need to design a section to be included in
National Geographic magazine. The section is your
choice of a natural disaster. Your section must
include:
1. Cover page
2. Title page: title and author
3. Contents page
4. Bibliography
5. Report on your choice of natural disaster
6. Poster informing people what they are to do in
the event of the natural disaster
7. Choice of one of the following: pictures, labelled
diagrams, maps or eyewitness account of the
disaster
Natural Disasters
Peer-Assessment
Assessment Criteria
Has : Bronze Silver Gold
Presented a booklet that is eye catching - is it
neat, colorful and creative?
Included all parts that were required - cover
page, title page, contents page, report, item of
choice, poster and bibliography?
Written a magazine section that makes sense?
Used punctuation - full stops/periods,
capital letters, commas, paragraphs, question
marks, brackets and speech marks?
Selected information that was appropriate for an
information magazine?
Organized information so that it is easy to read
and follow?
Two Stars and a Wish
Copyright © Top Notch Teaching
Name: Peer assessed by:
Use the following checklist to assess how well you think your peer
went in the project. At the bottom, list 2 things your peer did well
and a wish - what could your peer have done better?
Credits
Natural Disasters - Melinda Crean
27
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Kevin and Amanda
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