From drought, extreme heat, flooding, or earthquakes, we have to admit that natural disasters affect thousands of communities every year. Thus, I will preface this blog by stating that I do not and I have
never taught Earth science, thus some of my ideas may be way off base.
To help build more scientifically literate compassionate
students, one idea I have would entail having my students’ interview survivors
of natural disasters. From these interviews, I would then have them create
a video biography detailing that person’s story. I hope that by having my students conduct these interviews they would experience first hand how natural disasters change "real" peoples lives.
To help students study current disasters, I would probably
develop lessons that help my students become “weather watchers”. To assist students in gaining an appreciation
of these weather phenomena, I would probably ask a local college to allow some
of their meteorology students to come and mentor my students. Having these students in the classroom would
provide my students’ with a real world, hands-on learning environment. Meteorology
students would be able to better explain the science behind forecasting weather
and natural disasters. As students gained proficiency in forecasting weather and
weather patterns, I would assign students as my “weekly weather watchers”. Their job would be to work with their mentor
to forecast any impending natural disasters that would be occurring around the
world. From this information students could
lead discussions into how serve the disaster may be and what assistance would
be helpful.
One of the easiest ways that students can contribute when natural
disasters occur is by organizing donations from their fellow
students and community members. These
donations may be in the form of clothing, non-perishable food, water, or monetary
donations.
I found this really interesting website that provides resources
for helping students to become more caring and giving in the wake of natural
disasters.
Check it out http://learningtogive.org/lessons/disaster_relief/
