Unit 11: Natural Disasters
This unit is about extreme forces of nature — tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods. Pupils read about the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, write a flood victim's letter, build a Disaster Planning Brochure, learn adjectives (positive/comparative/superlative), and read Peter Pan.
Natural disasters are extreme forces of nature that cause deaths and destruction. Key facts discussed:
A tsunami is an extremely large wave caused by an earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: deadliest in history — over 150,000 people died in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Japan 2011: 5th most powerful earthquake hit Sendai, waves over 10 metres high, 15,000 died
We can help victims by donating, volunteering, or sending supplies
Mount Vesuvius in Italy is the only active volcano in Europe. About earthquakes:
An earthquake is the result of violent shaking and movements of the Earth's surface
It happens when the Earth's crust moves in different directions, creating seismic waves
Magma is the hot liquid found inside the Earth
An earthquake is measured using a seismometer (measures force and duration)
During an earthquake: seek a clear space, drop to the ground, protect your neck
A news report from Kota Bharu, 12 January: monsoon floods force over 40,000 people to evacuate. Pupils write a letter as a flood victim. Disaster Planning Brochure tips:
Before a flood: prepare an emergency kit, know your surroundings, identify evacuation places
During a flood: save yourself first (not belongings), stay away from power lines, do not drive
After a flood: wait until safe, stay away from power lines, do not enter water-surrounded buildings, throw away flood-touched food
Adjectives describe nouns. Comparative compares two nouns (add '-er' or 'more'). Superlative compares more than two (add 'the -est' or 'the most'). Order of adjectives: Quantity → Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Colour.
| Positive | old, thick, famous, hardworking | |
| Comparative | older, thicker, more famous, more hardworking | |
| Superlative | oldest, thickest, most famous, most hardworking | |
Three children from the Darling family in London — Wendy, John, and Michael — meet Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, who fly into their bedroom. Tinker Bell sprinkles pixie dust so they can fly to Neverland.
Neverland is a beautiful and magical place
The Lost Boys were eagerly waiting for Wendy to tell them stories
Captain Hook, an evil pirate, wants to take revenge on Peter Pan for the loss of his left hand
The pirates kidnap all the children
Activity: predict what happens in the end
Comparative adjectives compare TWO nouns (higher, more famous). Superlative adjectives compare MORE THAN TWO nouns (the highest, the most famous). Some adjectives change completely: good → better → best, bad → worse → worst. Order of adjectives: quantity → opinion → size → age → shape → colour.
📝 Kosa Kata
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was so powerful that it caused the Earth to wobble slightly on its axis and shortened the length of the day by about 2.68 microseconds! Earthquakes can literally change how fast the Earth spins.
Uji Minda!
16 soalan • Boleh buat!