Q
Camera, preferably instant (
optional;
if available, replaces sketches)
Q
Tape or stapler, for affixing photo (
optional
)
Q
Red marking pen
P ROC E DUR E
Teacher Preparation
Select site(s) for the class field assignments, choosing the nearest large
concentration of buildings. Students may choose buildings to survey
or they may be assigned.
A. Introduction
Tell students that they are going to assume the role of building
inspectors in completing an informal sidewalk survey of buildings in
their community.
B. Lesson Development
1. Ask students whether their region of the country is thought to be at
low, moderate, or high risk for earthquakes. If you do not have this
information on your classroom map, project the transparency made
from Master 1.3b, U.S. Earthquake Hazard Map. If your school is
located in a region pictured on the map as one low seismic hazard,
remind students that they may not always live where they live now,
and other natural disasters may affect the buildings.
2. Tell students that a building may be structurally sound but its
exterior decorations may create a hazard. These are called
nonstructural hazards. Project the transparency made from Master
5.4a, Non-structural Hazards, and elicit student descriptions of
nonstructural hazards on the outside of buildings in the drawing.
3. Tell students that for the purpose of this exercise, they will assume
that a major earthquake is likely in their area in the next several years.
They will take a walk and record their observations of nonstructural
hazards.
4. Assign each student a partner. Distribute six copies of Master 5.4b,
RVS Observation Sheet, to each pair, and ask each pair of students to
complete the following steps for six buildings, noting all the
information on their observation sheets.
a. Record a description of the building and its address or location.
b. Note materials used in construction.
c. Estimate the year of its construction.
d. Record its size (number of floors, area, shape, and other
information).
e. Determine the current use (business, apartments or other).
f. List the readily visible nonstructural hazards.
g. Sketch or photograph the building.
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F E M A
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