Student Teacher: Katie Agli

Grade Level: 4

Natural Disasters
Common Core State Standards:
INQ 35.10 Construct arguments using claims and evidence from
multiple sources.
INQ 35.12 Present a summary of arguments and explanations to
others outside the classroom using print and oral technologies (e.g.,
posters, essays, letters, debates, speeches, and reports) and digital
technologies (e.g., Internet, social media, and digital documentary).
Student Learning Objectives:
Students will:

Watch a screen cast tutorial on how to use thinglink and

Fakebook and be able to use each site based on their
understanding of the tutorial.
Be able to navigate through different websites as well as their
textbooks in order to locate information about a specific natural
disaster.
Create a Fakebook page based on what they learned through
their research.
Be able to present their page to the class to explain their choice
and extend on any aspects of their Fakebook that they wish to go
in depth on.
Have the chance to ask questions about each others Fakebooks
and make comparisons.

Rational for Objective:

This lesson supports the use of technology and different learning tools
for students to gain knowledge about a topic and to present it in a nontraditional way. It also encourages conversation about a topic in which
the students have researched independently but are presenting in a
group.
Assessment:

Students will be asked to create a Fakebook page pretending to be a

fictional natural disaster. The natural disaster that they choose should
be the one that they have decided to do more research on. The
Fakebook page must include:
1. A name for the disaster
2. A profile picture of the selected disaster
3. The date in history that it occurred (In the about section)
4. The city, state, and country that this fictional natural disaster is
located (This should be in the appropriate region in which the
selected disaster is common and can be put in the about
section.)
5. In a new post, include at least 5 interesting facts they have
learned
6. At least 3 pictures of the aftermath of the natural disaster
7. The regions of the country/world that they typically occur and
why that is.
8. Find one historical natural disaster that impacted a large group of
people and in a new post, discuss this event. Include the date,
the location, and how it impacted the people of the region.
Classroom Learning Environment Focus:
Students will be able to use the computer lab to watch the tutorial and
start their projects. This will ensure that if they have any questions, I
will be available to answer them and help if needed. Students should
be given a few days in the computer lab to finish their projects in case
there are children who do not have access to a computer at home.
Instructional Model/Strategy:
Direct instruction:

Students will view a tutorial which will give step by step

instructions on how to complete the assignment.

Rationale: Students will have the chance to pause and replay any parts
of the video to help them understand their task.
Materials/Resources:
Computers, internet access, and books on chosen topic (if desired).
Daily Formative Assessment:

Check their work while in the computer lab to see their progress and if
they are understanding the project.
Differentiating Instruction:
By having the students create a Fakebook account, they are able to be
as creative as they want to apply their knowledge on the topic. They
also have the opportunity to go at their own pace to watch instruction
and find information. Students will also have the option to look at a
word document with screen shots of the tutorial along with the video.
Initiation:
I will start by asking the class if they know what a natural disaster is
and if anyone can tell me what they know about them (i.e. location,
aftermath, migration factors, etc..). We will go through and name all of
the different types and any facts they may know about each. Then I
will show them pictures/videos of each type to get them familiar with
the topic.
Lesson Development:
1. Show screencast tutorial to the class and explain to them that
they will have the chance to see it on their own computers in the
computer lab in case they want to see it multiple times.
2. Students choose which natural disaster they would like to do
more research on.
3. The students navigate through natural disaster thinglink to get
started.
4. They research their topic.
5. Students create Fakebook page.
6. They present their Fakebook page to the class while peers ask
questions.
Closure:
Students will be able to present their Fakebook page to the class so
that everyone has a chance to learn more about each natural disaster
in a more fun and creative way. After the presentations, I will ask the
students their likes/dislikes about the project and if they have any
closing statements or questions.