Resources For Educators: Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disaster

Part of the Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters exhibition.

Composite image showing a tornado, an erupting volcano, and a road split by an earthquake.
Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. This exhibition explores the causes and effects of our planet's most powerful natural disasters, and how humans study and prepare for them. The educator's guide will help you and your students investigate the exhibition. 

Educator's Guide

Cover of Educator's Guide titled "Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters" with images of a tornado, volcano, storm cloud, and cracked street.

Nature's Fury Educator's Guide

Get an advance look at the exhibition's major themes and what your class will encounter. This six-page guide for K-12 educators includes a Map of the Exhibition, Essential Questions (important background content), Teaching in the Exhibition (self-guided explorations), Come Prepared Checklist, Correlation to Standards, and Glossary.

Download »

 

Science and Literacy Activities

These activities, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts, introduce students to scientific knowledge and language related to natural hazards. Students will read content-rich texts, visit Nature’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters, and use what they have learned to complete a CCSS-aligned writing task.

StepReads are alternate, more accessible versions of the original grade-level text developed by ReadWorks. They can be downloaded below. In addition, research-based question sets focused on literacy are available for each text at ReadWorks.org (see links below).

Grades 3–5

Nature's Fury Science and Literacy Activity for Grades 3–5
StepRead for Grades 3-5

ReadWorks Question Set for Grades 3-5

 

Grades 6–8

Nature's Fury Science and Literacy Activity for Grades 6–8
StepRead for Grades 6-8

ReadWorks Question Set for Grades 6-8

 

Grades 9–12

Nature's Fury Science and Literacy Activity for Grades 9–12
StepRead for Grades 9-12

ReadWorks Question Set for Grades 9-12

 

More Resources

Use these free online resources before or after your visit to further explore themes presented in the Nature's Fury exhibition.

Reading + Video Earthquakes: Tremors From Below Earthquakes are happening all the time. Most are so small that people don’t even feel them. But some can be very powerful. Reading + Video Hurricanes: Storms from the Sea How do simple storms turn into swirling hurricanes? How do scientists study and predict them? Find out on Ology. Reading Volcanoes: Magma Rising What causes volcanoes to erupt? How do scientists study them? Explore one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in history.

Read more about

Earthquakes and Tsunamis Volcanoes Tornadoes Hurricanes Additional Resources