Natural disasters and man-made disasters seem to be occurring more and more frequently recently. Students are interested and often concerned about these events. When natural disasters occur, they can be used to teach students about earth changes and events, as well as helping students understand the importance of compassion and reaching out to those effected by the disaster. Our school uses Core Knowledge curriculum which covers weather and other disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes. The students are exposed to historical events of each type of disaster and can see the effects of those disasters on civilization. However, learning about a current natural disaster is much more relevant to them. Students can learn what causes these natural phenomenon through watching simulations, researching and communicating their findings and watching appropriate footage of the disaster.
Our school is already very culturally aware and compassionate to those in need. Since my own children have been attending the school, they have participated in activities to raise money to help those less fortunate in our own community but also to send aid to those affected by the Japanese tsunami and Joplin tornado last spring.
Hello Kelly,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in saying that natural disasters have been occuring more and more frequntly. I am very impressed with your school. Your community must be proud of your school and students. How did you go about collecting goods for Joplin and Japan to be sent to those places?
Thanks, Adam
I think that is wonderful to get students involved in helping people affected by the Japanese tsunami and Joplin tornado. To me these types of culturally aware and compassion are what take students' development to the next level. Creating students that will be compassionate and want to help others as adults is important to their development to become productive adults. What activities were implemented to raise the money? Is your school located in an affluent area?
ReplyDeleteMy school is a charter school located in an upper middle class area but not all of the students come from that type of background. The charter school is a K-12 school so many of the fundraising efforts have been initiated by the older students. These middle school and high school students do a great job of getting the younger students involved. Most of the collections involve monetary donations that are given to the Red Cross as in the case of many disasters, notably the Joplin tornado, money is the most needed resource.
ReplyDeleteDo you ever find that your school's curriculum prevents you from dealing with current events. We do not have curriculum mapping, but other teachers in our area feel "locked in" because they must be teaching a certain topic on a certain day. Today, I did a simple inquiry lesson about the Mars rover. I think it is important to have students study real-world applications.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful to hear that the students are taking part in efforts to help those in need. I wanted to suggest a website that you could take a look at that might help provide additional ideas for assisting others:
http://www.dosomething.org/
Amy :)