Activity Introduction
Quick summary: As a class, students will view videos about the impacts of natural hazards, exploring two Australian case studies. They will then participate in a jigsaw activity where each group member will analyse a recollection of the 2018 flood in Hobart. They will choose a natural hazard and research how climate change will affect it in the future. Finally, students will produce a short news broadcast-style video informing the public of the impact of their chosen natural hazard on Australian communities and the effect of climate change on the natural hazard.
The lessons in this unit are designed to inform students about natural hazards in the local environment and ways to reduce risk, prepare, respond and recover from a disaster or emergency.
Content note: This lesson contains images and information about historic disasters in Australia which may be distressing for some students. Consider the history of your local community and students before deciding to use this lesson. Ensure this lesson is completed within the context of the previous lesson in the unit, Introduction To Natural Hazards and followed up by Positive Impacts Of Natural Hazards. Reassure students that natural hazards do not need to become disasters if we learn to prepare, reduce risk, respond to and recover from them appropriately.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand the impacts of disasters on people and communities
- Students understand the importance of communities working together during disaster recovery
- Students understand the effect climate change is having on natural hazards.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 Geography:
- Causes, impacts and responses to an atmospheric or hydrological hazard (ACHGK042)
- The way that flows of water connects places as it moves through the environment and the way this affects places (ACHGK038)
- Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS053)
Year 8 Geography:
- Different types of landscapes and their distinctive landform features (ACHGK048)
- Causes, impacts and responses to a geomorphological hazard (ACHGK053)
- Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS061)
Syllabus outcomes: GE4-1, GE4-2, GE4-3, GE4-4, GE4-5, GE4-8
General capabilities: Literacy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards:
Students describe geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently. They explain interconnections between people and places and environments and describe how these interconnections change places and environments. Students present findings and arguments using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies in a range of communication forms.
Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards:
Students explain geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and explain how places are perceived and valued differently. They explain interconnections within environments and between people and places and explain how they change places and environments. Students present findings, arguments and ideas using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies in a range of appropriate communication forms.
Topic: Climate Change, Social Issues, Sustainability
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Disaster Resilience Education – Years 7 & 8.
Time required: 80 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion, lead students in activities.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting videos to the class
- Devices capable of recording video – one per group
- Internet capable devices for student research – at least one per pair
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: disaster resilience, hazard, natural hazard, disaster, floods, climate change
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
