CBC Archives

Have students create a dictionary of significant earthquake related terms: earthquake, tsunami, seismograph, fault, primary wave, secondary wave, epicentre, hypocentre, and magnitude. If they wish, they can find the definitions online at the National Resources Canada Web site. Discuss the definitions as a class and clarify any terms.

Have the students watch, read, and listen to Clips #1 and 6, including the Did You Know? sections on the topic Canada’s Earthquakes and Tsunamis on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Place the students in groups of four and have them create a list of items that they would need for a Family Earthquake Preparedness Kit. For the purpose of this scenario, students will be at home with their families when the megathrust earthquake hits.

Invite students to share their lists. Use their suggestions to create a master list of items on the board. Compare the class list to the one listed on the Web site for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. What items did they miss? Ask: Why are those items necessary? What items did they include that weren’t on the Web site? Ask: Why did you think those items were important?

The students can return to the National Resources Canada Web site to examine and assess the map of the most recent earthquakes in Canada. Ensure students understand the legend before they begin.