First published online 29.05.2009

©

Macmillan Polska 2009

PHOTOCOPIABLE

Teacher’s Notes

Natural Disasters

by Paulina Bulowska,

Type of activity: individual work, group work

Focus: Natural disasters– speaking activity based

on stimuli

Level/age group: grade 3 (high school) - matura

rozszerzona

Time: 45 minutes

Preparation:
1. Photocopy the worksheets:

WORKSHEET – one per student

2. Make sure the students are prepared for

the task - give them clues how to describe

pictures, how to interpret headlines and

how to focus on general idea of the

material (in the previous lesson).

Procedure:
1. Introduce the topic of the lesson.
2. Present some useful vocabulary. It will be

helpful for your students to talk about

natural disasters. ( a flood, trauma, debris,

drought, a tornado, collapsed buildings/

houses, donation, the Red Cross, natural

hazards, crops, to be prone to sth.,

homelessness, calamity, residents trapped

under debris, to estimate, emergency

supplies).

3. Divide the class into 4/5 groups. (5 students

max. in each group)

4. Distribute WORKSHEET (one per student).

Ask the students to look at the material

and explain that each of them (in their

group) is supposed to comment on the

material. They need to take turns in

speaking. Monitor the work of all the

groups and give any help needed.

Encourage them to speak on the material

as much as possible.

5. When the work is finished ask one student

to present the material in front of the

class. Ask him/her the questions included

in Teacher’s Notes. Give him/her 5 minutes

and after his/her speech correct all the

mistakes you have heard during the

presentation.

6. Ask the students if they have some points

to add. Elaborate on the topic.

Extension/Follow-up: Remind your students

what is the most important while describing

a material.

Teacher’s Notes:

Questions to the material:

1. What does the material present?
2. What does the data in the frame imply

about natural disasters?

3. What can we do to help people afflicted

by calamities?

4. Could some natural disasters be prevented?

Justify your opinion.