Activity Introduction

Minderoo_geography_frame

Quick summary: Students will investigate and explain the impacts of some of the world’s worst hazards and produce a mind map containing statistics regarding the frequency and impacts of natural hazards.

Subjects: Geography.

Year Level: 7 & 8.

Topics: Climate change and sustainability.

Teaching Time: 90 minutes.

21st-century skills: 

CommunicatingCommunity EngagementCreative ThinkingCritical ThinkingCultural UnderstandingEmpathyProblem FindingTeam Work  

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions: 

Year 7 Geography:

  • Causes, impacts and responses to an atmospheric or hydrological hazard (ACHGK042).

Year 8 Geography:

  • Causes, impacts and responses to a geomorphological hazard (ACHGK053).

Syllabus outcomes: GE4-2.

General capabilities: Literacy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability.

Relevant parts of Year 7 Geography achievement standards: 

Students investigate how people value the environment in different ways and that the environment has its specific hazards. Water is investigated using studies drawn from Australia.
A framework for developing students’ geographical knowledge, understanding and skills is provided through the inclusion of inquiry questions and specific inquiry skills, including the use and interpretation of maps, photographs and other representations of geographical data.

Relevant parts of Year 8 Geography achievement standards: 

Students investigate how people value the environment in different ways and that the environment has its specific hazards. A framework for developing students’ geographical knowledge, understanding and skills is provided through the inclusion of inquiry questions and specific inquiry skills, including the use and interpretation of maps, photographs and other representations of geographical data.

Time required: 80 minutes.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate small group work and class discussion.

Resources required:

  • A device and software capable of creating a mind map OR sheets of A3 paper
  • Student Worksheets – one copy per student.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Minderoo_geography_frameTeacher Preparation

Handling Sensitive Topics:

While presenting the lesson, you may notice that students could develop heightened emotions as you uncover the physical and psychological effects of hazards and disasters. Resilience, rebuilding and hope are essential learnings from the lessons. Therefore, it is vital to create a psychologically safe place for students to discuss and debrief, shall they need to. The tasks can be activating for some students and could trigger old memories that some students may find challenging to revisit or process. You should direct students to a school counsellor if they require additional support and read through the Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues Template for more information. 

Resilient Communities Framework:

Building resilience is equally about how we approach our work as it is what we ultimately achieve as a result of the work. The Resilient Communities Framework is comprised of two mutually-reinforcing components — the principles and the

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Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: What is the world's biggest natural hazard that has occurred in the last decade?

1. Watch this video: 6 Terrible Natural Disasters And Their Consequences (https://youtu.be/zotU83Sd6jc) OR read the article assigned by the teacher. Take a couple of minutes to think about natural hazards and the impact a natural hazard can have on society. Once you and your group have been assigned a natural hazard and impact, work collaboratively to provide examples that you have witnessed, written about or seen? Below are some prompting categories to help you.

  • Public health
  • Economic
  • Health and Safety
  • Climate Change 
  • Environmental Loss
  • Biodiversity
  • Physical
  • Agricultural

2. Brainstorm the impacts of the disaster you are investigating using the headings in this table.

Name of hazard/s

Examples of impact - list under the following headings:

Public Health 

 Economic Climate Change Health and Safety

Environmental costs
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