This document provides a lesson plan for teaching students about natural disasters through reading, discussion, and writing. The lesson introduces common core standards on writing informative texts and engaging in discussions. It includes text and discussion questions about various disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, landslides and avalanches. Students are asked to write a comparative essay on two disasters, considering their causes, effects, and ways to prepare for them. The lesson emphasizes strong introductions, supported main ideas, transitions between ideas, and conclusions.

1. Man Against Nature:
Extreme Natural Disasters
Read, Discuss, and Write

2. Common Core Lesson
This short lesson is designed to be completed in one
or two class periods. In some cases, longer class
discussions may lengthen the lesson to three days.
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D
Gregg Berry, B.A.
www. Commoncorecurriculum.info

3. Introduction
This unit of study will help you learn
the following important common
core curriculum standards.
Right Click to Pause
3

4. Common Core Writing Standard
Write
informative/explanatory
texts to examine a topic
and convey ideas and
information clearly.

5. Text Types and Purposes
Write arguments to
support claims in an
analysis of substantive
topics or texts using valid
reasoning and relevant and
sufficient evidence

6. Speaking and Listening
Engage effectively in a range
of collaborative discussions
with diverse partners on
topics and texts, building on
others’ ideas and expressing
their own clearly

7. Take Notes
As we review and
discuss natural
disasters take
careful notes.

8. • The beautiful world we live in can be violent and unpredictable.
Natural occurrences stimulated by severe weather events occasionally
create dramatic phenomena like hurricanes and tornados. These
weather patterns can be dangerous to people and property.

9. Class Discussion
What is the difference between a
hurricane and a tornado?

10. • One of the most horrendous weather related disasters in United
States history struck the Gulf of Mexico on August 28, 2005.
Hurricane Katrina was the costliest North Atlantic tropical cyclone
ever and resulted in the death of over 1800 people. For several
days, there were ghastly scenes of people clinging to life on the
roofs of houses as flood waters poured through neighborhoods.

11. Class Discussion
What kind of long term effects would
severe hurricanes with high flood waters
have on large cities?

12. • The potent storms of hurricane Katrina had a traumatic impact on
New Orleans and the coastal areas of Mississippi and Alabama.
Damage to businesses, schools, homes, and roads took years to
rebuild. Thousands of families were left homeless and without jobs
for very long periods of time. While the hurricane was nearing the
coastal areas, millions of people began fleeing the area making roads
impassable and traffic extremely long. Those who were unable to
escape Katrina’s path were punished with its ferocity.

13. Class Discussion
Which areas of the United States are
most likely to be struck by serious
hurricanes?
Where do these hurricanes originate?

14. • Although hurricanes do not occur close to the equator, conditions near the equator
create the ingredients necessary for hurricanes to develop. As storms move away
from the equatorial area, the Coriolis force of the spinning earth increases and
enhances wind velocity which produces formidable storms that can become serious
hurricanes. In the United States, the year 2005 was recorded as the worst hurricane
season in history. Soon after Katrina, Hurricane Rita traversed the Gulf of Mexico as
a category five storm with wind speeds as high as 180 mph. Even though Rita was a
horrendous hurricane, it was downgraded to a category three by the time it hit land
in Texas and Louisiana.

15. Class Discussion
Would you rather have your area hit by a
hurricane or a tornado?
What can people do to save lives during a
tornado?

16. • In some areas of the world, certain storms, known as supercell thunderstorms,
can spawn tornadoes. As frightening as serious hurricanes can be, not many
things in nature present destructive forces as daunting as an EF category four
or five tornado blasting through towns with astonishing ferocity and causing
incomprehensible damage to human life, homes, and infrastructure.

17. •While tornadoes occur throughout the world, the central
regions of the United States have the perfect climate and
geography for the development of tornadoes. That area is
often referred to as tornado alley because of the high
frequency of ruinous tornadoes that cause deadly and
debilitating damage.
Of course, when volcanoes erupt

18. • Sometimes the fury of nature comes from deep within the earth’s crust.
Fissures of the crust, result in the upward movement of heat and molten rock
under immense pressure. In this way, volcanoes are born rising from the ocean
floor to become islands or erupting from the land to become mountains. Of
course, when volcanoes erupt, they create prodigious quantities of smoke and
ash that can block the sun for long periods of time and send damaging
pollutants for hundreds of miles. Towns or villages nearby face permanent
extinction.

19. Class Discussion
What are some of the well known volcanoes that have
rained havoc on surrounding areas?
What is the “ring of fire” and why is it important in the
study of volcanoes?

20. • Over 80% to 90% of all volcanoes and earthquakes occur in a belt of
the Pacific Ocean called the “ring of fire”. The divergence or
convergence of tectonic plates deep under the crust create the
pressure and movement that results in cataclysmic changes producing
volcanoes and earthquakes.

21. • Almost 2,000 years ago, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and its 11,000
people were buried when a huge volcano erupted. Mount Vesuvius spewed ash
and molten lava down on Pompeii instantly killing its inhabitants and
preserving their shapes and forms exactly as they were when the unforeseen
event occurred.

22. Class Discussion
Volcanoes and earthquakes have some
similarities and some differences.
Where does the pressure that creates
volcanoes and earthquakes come from?
How are the causes of these two events
different?

23. • Volcanoes and earthquakes are closely related. Both result from
similar activity deep within the earth. In fact, the ramifications of a
volcanic eruption often include earthquake activity. The build up of
intense pressure caused by shifting tectonic plates results in
unimaginable movements of the earth. When this movement is in
heavily populated regions, very severe damage can result.
Earthquakes over 6.5 in magnitude can be very dangerous. Most
scientists predict that a colossal quake of 8.0 or higher magnitude is
looming in our future and could have disastrous results.

24. Class Discussion
What might be the result if a quake 8.0 or larger hit a
city with a population of a million people?
How should people prepare for such an event?

25. • While the United States has had several serious earthquakes that
have resulted in deaths and significant property damage in recent
years, the most damaging earthquakes have occurred in Asia and
South America. In 1995, an unanticipated earthquake struck Kobe,
Japan and caused horrific loss of life and property. Over 6,400 people
lost their lives and 300,000 were left homeless. Scientists continue to
warn Americans of the need to be prepared for “the big one”, a quake
over 8.0 magnitude in a populated area. The loss of life and property
could be incomprehensible.

26. Class Discussion
What do you think can happen when an earthquake
strikes along the ocean floor?
Why should people on land be concerned?

27. • Sometimes large earthquakes centered in the ocean floor can displace large
amounts of water and create huge tsunamis capable of completely destroying
coastal areas. Although some tsunamis can be caused by other ocean floor
events, tsunamis are usually created when large tectonic plates collide with
each other. The result can be huge waves eight feet or taller slamming across
coastal areas at speeds up to 500 miles per hour. In 2004, a gigantic tsunami
traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean striking eleven Asian and
African countries and wreaking catastrophic damage to lives and property.
More than 283,000 people died and many coastal cities were completely
destroyed.

28. • Massive flooding is not limited to tsunami disasters. Heavy rainfall
in certain geographic areas can lead to major flooding, inundating
hundreds of miles of lands. Floods are the most common natural
disasters that affect millions of people every year. While tsunamis
and hurricanes cause flooding, most flooding occurs along river
systems or dry, flat areas prone to flash flooding. Also, recent forest
fires can denude the vegetation and contribute to flooding when
the ground becomes saturated.

29. Class Discussion
In some parts of our country too much rain is a serious
problem. However, the lack of rain also contributes to
natural disasters.
In what way do droughts facilitate wild fires?
What can we do to reduce the threat of wild fires?

30. • Wild fires have plagued the planet for millions of years. With the
development of civilizations, man has had to fight this battle with nature.
While wild fires are sometimes caused by humans, often these fires are part
of nature as lightening creates fires and thins over crowded forests. Long
lasting droughts, such as those occurring in the western United States, add to
the wild fire problem by providing dry, easy to burn fuel.

31. • Some natural disasters are less common but still horrific. Landslides and
avalanches occur in various locations throughout the United States. The largest
landslide in recent memory was near Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2013. Amazingly,
no one was injured or killed in that slide. However, in 2014, the Oso,
Washington, mudslide killed over 20 people. Like landslides, avalanches can be
very frightening and result in deaths. There are various types of avalanches
caused by different conditions. Earthquakes and volcanoes can initiate
avalanches. Most avalanches are caused by newer, heavy snowfall, layers of
snow and ice, steeper slopes, and warmer temperatures. Outdoor enthusiasts
need to understand the conditions they are climbing in and take all precautions
to be safe.

32. When do most hurricanes occur? During which
months are hurricanes extremely rare?

33. Did hurricanes become more frequent between
1850 and the year 2000? Support your answer
with facts.

34. Study this graph carefully. Which two weather events killed the most people in
the year 2011? Have tornadoes become more or less dangerous during the last
thirty years? Provide evidence for your answer.

35. Was there a significant change in the number of tornadoes in 2002 and 2012?
Defend your answer with evidence. Has the incidence of hurricanes been getting
worse, better, or remaining the same from 2000 to2012? Defend your answer.

36. What was the trend in the frequency of hurricanes
from August 20 to September 10? State the specific
facts to support your answer.

37. Which states had the most expensive weather
related disasters from 1980 to 2011?

38. How much more costly was weather related
damage in 2008 than in 1998?

39. What conclusion can you draw regarding the
frequency of extreme weather events during the
last 100 years?

40. Class Opinion Poll
What Do You Think?

41. Which kind of natural
disaster would you fear
the most?
Raise your hand as I read the
following disasters.

42. Common Natural Disasters
•1. Hurricanes
•2. Floods
•3. Earthquakes
•4. Tornadoes
•5. Forest Fires
•6.Tsunamis
•7. Landslides

43. Class Discussion
How do tornadoes and
hurricanes differ?
Think about the causes
and effects of each.

44. Take Notes As We Summarize
Let’s summarize Some of the
differences between tornadoes and hurricanes

45. Class Discussion
How are earthquakes
and volcanoes different?

46. Take Notes As We Summarize
Let’s summarize Some of the
differences between earthquakes and
volcanoes

47. Common Core Curriculum Standards
Writing Standards
Write arguments to
support claims in an
analysis of substantive
topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.
47

48. Write an Essay
Organizize your ideas and prepare to write an
essay COMPARING AND CONTRASTING two of the
natural disasters discussed in class. Consider the
causes and effects of the natural disaster as well
as weather conditions and geography that have the
most impact. Conclude your essay by presenting
specific ideas about how residents, businesses,
and government agencies can better prepare to
withstand these kinds of natural disaster threats.

49. Your Topic
•Identify how the two
natural disasters are
similar and how they are
different. Does one of
them create more
serious problems?
•Outline the details of
your main points.
•Provide examples to
support your main ideas.

50. Use the five
paragraph essay
format to write
your paper.
50

51. 51
Five Paragraph Essay
Outline
Introduction
What is my topic
sentence?
Body-Main Ideas
With supporting
details
Conclusion
How can I summarize
my paragraph?
How can I rephrase
my topic sentence?

52. Essays Require
Three Main
Sections

53. Begin Your Essay With
a Carefully Crafted
Introduction

54. Get the Reader’s Attention and State Your Thesis

55. The Key Elements of a
Strong Introduction

56. Check Out This Sample Introduction

57. Details Must Support the Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts, examples,
and reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

58. Create an Outline
Topic Sentence___________________________________
_______________________________________________
A. Main Idea_____________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
_______________________________________________
B. Main Idea_____________________________________
_______________________________________________
Details/Evidence__________________________________
________________________________________________
58

59. Prepare to Write
Write an essay
comparing and
contrasting two kinds
of natural disasters.
Explain the probable
causes and effects of
each natural disaster
and make
recommendations for
preparing for each.

60. Transition Words
As you view these words,
select the words that help
you make transitions
smoothly from one idea to
the next.
• as a result
• such as
• for example
• nevertheless
• for that
reason
• finally
• at this time
• therefore
• furthermore
• in addition
• in conclusion
• as well as
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61. The Conclusion
Write a conclusion for
your essay reviewing
your main points and
discussing how people
can prepare for these
natural disasters.

62. Write a Strong Conclusion for Your Essay

64. Let’s Review a Good Conclusion

65. Review, Edit, and Rewrite
1. Re-read your essay several
times.
2. How can you improve your
sentences to communicate more
clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported
by examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s
essay out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write
the final draft of your polished
essay. 65