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Write the word “disaster” on the blackboard or overhead and have students provide definitions and examples of disasters. Organize their suggestions in a word web format on the blackboard or overhead. Now write the term “natural disasters” and build a new word web based on the comments and suggestions provided by the students. Explain that students will be using the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site to learn about Hurricane Hazel, one of Canada’s most famous natural disasters.

Allow students up to ten minutes to browse the Hurricane Hazel topic. Ask them to record ten major features and facts associated with Hurricane Hazel using the word web format modelled earlier in the lesson.

After browsing the site, debrief the students by building a chalkboard or overhead word web based on students’ findings and observations. Ask students to incorporate any new information on their individual word. Students might be asked to consider such open-ended questions as:

What information did you find surprising and why?

What was most interesting about the site and why?

Have you had any personal experience with hurricanes or other natural disasters? Explain.