Great sites to teach about Titanic

It is really amazing how Titanic still captures our imagination 100 years after she sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic in 1912.

I put this down to the fact that Titanic is firstly an amazing tale of man outsmarting themself through technology and industrial might. Then we have a secondary tale of injustice and arrogance when the absolute upper and lower crust of Edwardian society struggle for survival and equity in the middle of the ocean.

Shakespeare himself could not have scripted a better story with so many sub-plots of triumph and tragedy.

As a teacher there are limitless teaching possibilities which arise from Titanic via, history, science, math philosophy and literacy. 

April 14 will be the 100th centenary of the greatest maritime disaster in in history and we have compiled some great web resources below to share with your students and peers.  If you know of any others please let us know by adding a comment below.

Ultimate Titanic:  This is by far the biggest collection of Educational Titanic resources and should be the starting point for any teacher and student.  Their education section is very comprehensive.

NY Times learning Network:  Has some great teaching ideas to commemorate the 100th anniversary if Titanic.

National Geographic Titanic 100:  A very current and fresh collection of Titanic content with a large amount of input from James Cameron.

History Channel Titanic Interactive:  Students will enjoy exploring this.

Expedition Titanic:  Great interactive resources on Titanic

Amazing collection of Titanic information and Teaching Resources

Ultimate Titanic has appeared just in time for the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  It is specifically designed for teachers and students to learn about the most famous maritime disaster of all time.

There are a number of amazing images, videos and text based content that will definitely appeal to teachers and students without overwhelming them with irrelevant information on Titanic.

Best of all Ultimate Titanic must surely have the biggest collection of Titanic lesson plans and teaching resources based around the 1912 disaster covering all key learning areas and ages.  The amount of content here would surely warrant an in depth unit on Titanic and all the hard work has been done for you.  There is something here for everyone.

The Titanic is one of the most amazing industrial feats of all time wrapped up in a story that Shakespeare himself could not have scripted and still appeals to students and learners of all ages.

Students are still fascinated by the story 100 years on.  Be sure to check out Ultimate Titanic Today.

Tsunami Resources

I came across this brilliant video from the BBC that explains perfectly how a Tsunami occurs and why they are such a risk to coastal areas.  You can also view some amazing footage of the destructive force of the Japanese Tsunami here.  Finally here is a great video for teachers and students that explains the radiation risk associated with the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Tsunami resources for Teachers and Students

I came across this brilliant video from the BBC that explains perfectly how a Tsunami occurs and why they are such a risk to coastal areas.  You can also view some amazing footage of the destructive force of the Japanese Tsunami here.  Finally here is a great video for teachers and students that explains the radiation risk associated with the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan 2011 Earthquake: Lesson Plan and Teaching Ideas

below is a slideshare I used in 2010 following the Haiti Earthquake which measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale but following the Christchurch (6.8) and Japan 8.9 Eathquakes this might be of great use to explain the basics of Earthquakes to your students.

Earthquakes

View more presentations from Kevin Cummins.

Japanese Earthquake Teaching Resources

What is it?  Following today's weeks disastrous events in Japan, Earthquakes may have been a topic of discussion in your classroom either in terms of humanitarian relief or actually enquiring about the physical causes and effects of Earthquakes.

The BBC has a brilliant brief animated sideshow that explains the causes and effects of Earthquakes which makes a very complex issue seem very simple.  It is also available in a printable PDF format if you so desire to use as handouts. 

How can I use this in my classroom?  Here is a great link to a BBC News Article on the Haiti Earthquakes  of 2010 explaining the turn of events along with a video clip.  (please note that the clip may not be appropriate for all students due to it's graphic nature - use at your own discretion.) Ask you students what they know about Earthquakes and why they occur?

Brainstorm class ideas on the board and then share the BBC Earthquake Explanation animation.

Discuss how some countries on fault lines will always be subject to Earthquakes in the future and how they can also cause Tsunami's and spread danger far wider than just the centre of the quake.  Ask students what can be done in these areas to minimise the effects of Earthquakes?

Students can then record their knowledge of Earthquakes either in whatever format you desire.  Write a survival story based on their knowledge learnt or research some famous Earthquakes from the Past.

Finally it would be great if you could brainstorm a class or school fundraiser that could help the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.

Look forward to hearning of any great lesson ideas you have realted to the Earthquakes.

Teaching the Science of a Volcano - A Great Science Lesson

Thanks to Scott @ www.mytopten.com.au

Teaching children the science of a volcano is exciting, hands-on and an all-round learning experience if done well. Here is a lesson that should help you to engage your children in science a bit more!

Introduction

Visit the Discovery Channels - Explore a Virtual Volcano

You will be able to talk and discuss the Tectonic Plates and the global perspective of volcanoes in our societies. You can also diverge the different types of volcanoes that are across the globe. Once done, you should then look inside the volcano and have a look at all of its parts. The final part of the introduction would be to have the children to create their own virtual volcano, where they can look at the different results of increasing gas and viscosity.

If you would like to continue looking at the volcano online you can also visit National Geographic's Forces of Nature.

Body

Have the children research a particular volcano online. You can use eMINTs to access some great resources as well.

Now for the fun part!!!

Have the children create a model of the volcano. You can either use paper mache or play dough. Play dough seems to work much better, as you can sculpt channels for the lava to flow down. Click here for an indepth method of creating a model volcano.

The model building may take a couple of days, so be patient while this occurs. Once the children have completed their model they should place in trees and structures that may normally be affected by the volcano. To be completely finished this task, all children should have the parts of the volcano clearly labelled for everyone to see.

Conclusion

Have children place the bi-carbonate into the vinegar, etc and watch the eruption of the volcano. As the children are doing this, prompt them with questions such as... "what would be happening to the pressure under the surface?" "What is the viscosity of the lava?"

Teach your students how earthquakes happen

What is it? Following last weeks disastrous events in Haiti, Earthquakes may have been a topic of discussion in your classroom either in terms of humanitarian relief or actually enquiring about the physical causes and effects of Earthquakes.

The BBC has a brilliant brief animated sideshow that explains the causes and effects of Earthquakes which makes a very complex issue seem very simple.  It is also available in a printable PDF format if you so desire to use as handouts.

How can I use this in my classroom? Here is a great link to a BBC News Article on the Haiti Earthquakes explaining the turn of events along with a video clip.  (please note that the clip may not be appropriate for all students due to it's graphic nature - use at your own discretion.) Ask you students what they know about Earthquakes and why they occur?

Brainstorm class ideas on the board and then share the BBC Earthquake Explanation animation.

Discuss how some countries on fault lines will always be subject to Earthquakes in the future and how they can also cause Tsunami's and spread danger far wider than just the centre of the quake.  Ask students what can be done in these areas to minimise the effects of Earthquakes?

Students can then record their knowledge of Earthquakes either in whatever format you desire.  Write a survival story based on their knowledge learnt or research some famous Earthquakes from the Past.

Finally it would be great if you could brainstorm a class or school fundraiser that could help the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.

Look forward to hearning of any great lesson ideas you have realted to the Earthquakes.