odd one out.mp4Video 1
Rank the natural disasters.mp4Video 2
Direct Instruction
All Manaiakalani schools are working on their oral language - language in abundance. I wanted my students to try to use the technical vocabulary we have been learning around natural disasters in context, in proper sentences and to help them explain and justify a decision they had made about that particular disaster.
I gave this group the challenge of finding the odd one out (with no teacher guidance as to the categories or what features to think about), and later to rank the natural disasters from worst-least dangerous.
My hope and aim was to pull out as much technical vocabulary as possible, guide students to make connections to concepts they had learnt previously and get them to use the vocabulary correctly and for a purpose.
Video 1 - finding 'the odd one out' and explaining/attempting to justify their decision
Video 2 - ranking the disasters from worst-least and explaining/attempting to justify their decision
Reflection on the video clip
Students were able to use some technical vocab.
Video 1 - Lily could explain how a tornado happened, you can hear her mention "cold air" and "warm air".
Video 1 - Interesting to see the rationale the two groups went with. The boys group originally went with lava. vs. water, but their explanation turned into a richer conversation about the cause of death in different disasters (direct impact or secondary impact). The girls group went with ground vs. land for their 'odd one out', and could explain where each disaster originated, but couldn't see that tsunamis and hurricanes also start on land. I think they were actually discussing where the impact of these disasters happens, rather than where they originate.
In video 2 - I could have challenged their reasoning more to push for either a changed decision, or more sound explanation (E.g. but why are earthquakes last and tsunamis 2nd, when earthquakes can trigger tsunamis, doesn't that make earthquakes more dangerous?).
Class Site Content
Term 3, Week 6
WAL about sinkholes, blizzards, dust storms and wildfire
SC I can explain in my own words what sinkholes, blizzards, dust storms and wildfire
Independent task: INFORMATION REPORT
WALT compare and contrast
SC I can find similarities and differences between natural disasters.
Independent task: Use the pictures taken to help you explain what differences and similarities you could find between the natural disasters.