The topic of earthquakes came up back in August when we studied skyscrapers, then again in September as part of our disaster preparedness studies. Also, the third Thursday in October is the official Great American Shakeout (earthquake preparedness observance).

Since we live close to the New Madrid fault line, and the boys were interested, we took a bit of a detour from our regular lessons to focus on learning about earthquakes.  As to be expected when the boys pick the topic of study, it was fantastic.  Below are the online resources we used as we researched, experimented, and learned about earthquakes.

Earthquakes explained, facts, and information  http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

Extensive list of earthquake related vocabulary words and their definitions http://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/53594-earthquake-vocabulary-words/

17 Bible references to “earthquakes”  https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=earthquake&qs_version=NIV

Live Earthquake Map and Stats  From Around the World (Even now that our earthquake study is over, we’re still checking this site daily.  We’re amazed at the seismic activity that goes on everyday!)   http://quakes.globalincidentmap.com/

Information about the most severe earthquakes on record past and present    http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001767.html

How to Prepare for an Earthquake                                                                   https://thesurvivalmom.com/just-moved-prepare-earthquake/?fbclid=IwAR0zXhL63aqEkPFzwmBUd0mdiPOTibEHhaBEAFoDYCoZtcS5ZQFM3OQNlz4

I hadn’t planned on making a lapbook with this study, but Z asked if we could.  So of course we did, and it turned out wonderfully.  We made a few booklets on our own and printed off some of these resources too.   earthquake lapbook printables  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/earthquakes.php

“Earthquake Safety” video for kids and by kids and FEMA

“Deadliest Earthquake”  Documentary (B and I watched this together without the younger boys.  There’s some disturbing images shown.)

Old Zoom video instructions of how to make a seismometer.   Ours turned out great!  http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.seismometer/making-a-seismometer/

Other Learning Resources from PBS (with grade level recommendations)  https://ket.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=earthquakes

Hands-on activities and projects.  One of these even involves Oreos!  Yes, I’ll buy Oreos in the name of “science”!                                    http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/activities.html

This interactive “Stop Disasters” game was tough!  We were set up as city managers and assigned the task of building, upgrading, and educating the people on safety. We were given 25 minutes to get our city in order before an earthquake hit.  The first time through the game, we were fired!  And that was the “easy” level!                                             http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/

Richter Scale Math Lesson                                                       https://www.yummymath.com/2019/california-earthquakes-and-the-richter-scale/?fbclid=IwAR0QAPbop11AA_I7o8CsLvMcx2ZfGryCTGrYWmFqoeEXTiRscZSl0RVk7hw

We took this online earthquake quiz twice.  Once before our study and again when we were finished  (we did much better the second time)  http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/science/earthquakes/quiz273.html

And of course we had to find some earthquake jokes for J –

Q: What do cows produce during an earthquake?   A: Milkshakes!

Q: What did the ground say to the earthquake?    A: You crack me up!

Q: What is an Earthquakes favorite song?   A: “Shake, Rattle and Roll!”

Actually, not “Shake, Rattle and Roll” but this one was our song through our earthquake study

betty jo