Students build an understanding of wildfire in Colorado using multiple data sources in a jigsaw format.
Context for Use
This lesson is best used as part of the HEART Force curricular unit. Potential lessons to follow include:
- HEART Force Wildfire Response Game OR HEART Force Wildfire Resilience Game
- HEART Force Community Resilience Expo Curriculum
This lesson could also be a stand-alone lesson to introduce students to wildfire in Colorado.
Wildfire burns through the Black Forest area near Colorado Springs, 2013.
Photo Credit: https://vimeo.com/84393594
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Analyze wildfire data to identify patterns of wildfire history and risk in Colorado.
- Communicate information about the causes and effects of wildfires in your community. Explain what community members should do to be safe in the event of a wildfire
Teaching Materials
User note: To make an editable copy of the teaching materials in Google Drive, select File > “Make a copy”. This will make a copy for you to save to your own drive and edit as you see fit.
Description
In this lesson, students will investigate wildfires in Colorado by analyzing wildfire data and information to create a local news story to educate community members about wildfire risk.
- Part 1 – Engage (20 minutes) Introduction to Wildfire Concepts and Case Study
As a class, watch a short documentary about wildfires in Colorado and have a brief whole group discussion about the video.
- Part 2 – Explore (50 minutes) Wildfire Data Analysis Jigsaw
In small groups, analyze wildfire information and data to build understanding of the causes, impacts, locations, and frequency of wildfires.
- Part 3 – Explain (65 minutes) Community Wildfire Risk and Response
In small groups, create a local news story for your (or another) community to share information about wildfire causes and impacts, and how people prepare for, respond to, and rebound from wildfires.
