Life Along the Ring of Fire

Updated: January 19, 2007
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Lesson plan

In this lesson, students gain an understanding of the geological forces that create the Ring of Fire and its effect on distinct cultures.

Map of the world showing tectonic plate boundaries.

On This Page
Lesson plan informationLesson plan information
Teacher guideTeacher guide
Student activityStudent activity
Ways to extend the student activityWays to extend the student activity

Lesson plan information

Lesson plan
ItemRequirements

Instructional level

Intermediate user

Advanced user

School level

Middle school (11-14 years)

Curriculum areas

Science

Language arts

Themes

Nature

Class time

2-3 class periods

Software required

Microsoft Encarta Reference

Microsoft Office Word

Teacher guide

Objectives

Students will explore plate tectonics.

Students will prepare a report that describes how natural disasters have influenced societies.

Prerequisite skills

Basic research skills using Microsoft Encarta

Basic experience with Microsoft Office Word

How to begin

1.

In the Encarta Reference Library 2005, go to the article "Plate Tectonics," and show the students the short video "Magma Upwelling." Have the class read (out loud) the caption that describes how magma is released as plates move apart.

2.

Brainstorm recent incidents of volcanic activity and earthquakes, and point out that most of these occur along the Ring of Fire. Explain that in this activity the students will each assume the role of an anthropologist and compare how life on the Ring of Fire has influenced two distinct societies.

Photograph of earthquake-damaged buildings in San Francisco.

Student activity

Description

In this activity, you will create a multimedia report describing what creates the Ring of Fire and comparing how seismic events have influenced the cultures of two distinct societies that live along the Ring of Fire.

Hokusai's woodcut from the late 1820s, entitled "Great Wave off Kanagawa," depicting a tsunami.

Step 1: Explore the Ring of Fire

Software: Microsoft Encarta

What to Do

Do basic research on the Ring of Fire

1.

Start Encarta, and click Articles.

2.

Read the articles "Stratovolcano" and "Plate Tectonics" in the Encarta Reference Library 2005.

3.

Review some of the societies that live along the Ring of Fire. This will be a good starting point for picking the cultures you will research.

Step 2: Research societies that inhabit the Ring of Fire

Software: Microsoft Encarta

What to Do

Research two different societies that live along the Ring of Fire

1.

Select two distinct societies that live along the Ring of Fire.

2.

Use Encarta to research the effect of seismic events on these societies. Ask:

What hazards do they face?

How do they cope?

How has the threat of disaster influenced their cultures?

3.

Use Encarta's Dynamic Browser to research related entries, multimedia, and Web sites suggested by the articles.

Hint: Use the Encarta World Atlas found in the Maps tool to explore your subject's region.

Step 3: Compare societal responses

Software: Microsoft Encarta, Microsoft Office Word

What to Do

Write a report about the different ways societies respond to living on the Ring of Fire

1.

Gather information from all appropriate articles, sidebars, media features, and Web sources. Compare how these societies have been influenced by the threats posed to them by living along the Ring of Fire.

2.

Use the Encarta Researcher in the Homework Center to help you organize your information and outline your report. Make sure to include examples of art, architecture, and engineering that demonstrate a societal response to the threat of natural disasters.

Ways to extend the student activity

Have students study how the Richter scale measures earthquake activity, and compare the effects on different societies from earthquakes that measured five, seven, and nine on the Richter scale.



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