There are so many types of natural disasters that it can be difficult for students to focus on every single one of them. In this activity, students will create a spider map that identifies and illustrates at least six natural disasters. This activity can easily be adjusted to fit the needs of your students and how many disasters you would like them to focus on.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Identify and describe six natural disasters in a spider map storyboard.
Encourage students to share their spider maps with the class and explain their choices. Class discussions help students process information, make connections, and learn from each other’s perspectives.
Ask questions like, “Which natural disaster do you think is most dangerous, and why?” or “Have you or someone you know experienced one of these disasters?” This approach deepens understanding and encourages personal connections.
Help students identify similarities and differences among disasters, such as causes, effects, or locations. Comparing develops critical thinking and helps students organize information logically.
Ask students to share one new fact or insight they learned during the discussion. Summarizing reinforces knowledge and lets you assess understanding quickly.
Examples of natural disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and tsunamis. Teaching students about these helps them understand the causes and effects of extreme natural events.
Using a spider map activity is an engaging method. Students identify, illustrate, and describe different natural disasters, which supports visual learning and helps them organize information effectively.
A spider map is a graphic organizer where students place a central topic in the middle and branch out to related ideas. For natural disasters, it helps students visually connect types and details about each disaster.
Learning about natural disasters raises awareness, prepares students for emergencies, and builds understanding of how these events impact communities and the environment.
To adapt, adjust the number of disasters covered, use age-appropriate language, incorporate images for younger grades, and add research or presentation components for older students.