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Lesson Plan
Board: CBSE | Class: VIII | Subject: Science
Chapter Name: Some Natural Phenomena

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Time Allotted
for the Lesson
This lesson is divided across seven modules. It will be completed in seven class meetings.
Prerequisite
Knowledge
Winds, Storms and Cyclones: Class VII
Objectives
Related Module
Lightning and Charge
Objectives:
Explain the ways through which objects get charged
Explain the interaction between charged objects

Related Module
Transfer of Charge
Objectives:
Explain the transfer of charge from one object to another
Describe the construction and working of an electroscope
Explain the mechanism of earthing

Related Module
Causes of Lightning
Objectives:
Explain the formation of lightning

Related Module
Protection from Lightning
Objectives:
List the precautions and safety measures to be taken during a thunderstorm

Related Module
Earthquakes and their Causes
Objectives:
Explain the causes of an earthquake and its devastating effects

Related Module
Magnitude of an Earthquake
Objectives:
Explain the uses of Richter Scale and seismograph
Describe the terms Focus and Epicentre of an earthquake

Related Module
Protection from Earthquakes
Objectives:
List the precautions and safety measures to be taken during an earthquake

Short
Description of
Lesson:
In this lesson, the students will learn about electric charge and its transfer from one object to
another. They will also learn about the interaction between two charged objects. The learners
will be taught about an electroscope and the mechanism of an earthing. They will study the
causes of lighting and earthquakes and its devastating effects. Additionally, they will also learn
about the precautionary and safety measures to be taken during these natural calamities.
Aids
Relevant Modules from Teach Next
Lightning and Charge
Transfer of Charge
Causes of Lightning
Protection from Lightning
Earthquakes and their Causes
Magnitude of an Earthquake
Protection from Earthquakes

Other Audio Visual Aids

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TLMs on:
Winds, Storms and Cyclones: Class VII

Access the videos relevant to the chapter Some Natural Phenomena from the Library
resources.

Aids Non-Technical
None

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/upload/2010/04/volcanic_lightning_eyjafjallaj/lightnin
g-1.jpeg
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/lightning-profile/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/lightning.htm
http://www.ias.ac.in/jess/oct2009/d8je-157.pdf
http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/py106/Charge.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_charge
http://www.physics.sjsu.edu/becker/physics51/elec_charge.htm
http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_causes_lightning.htm
http://www.myuniversalfacts.com/2006/03/what-causes-lightning.html
http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/atmo/atmosphere/topics/lightning/lightning2.html
http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/atmo/atmosphere/topics/lightning/lightning2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_rod
http://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Principle_of_lightning_protection
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lhm/lpts.html
http://www.elec-toolbox.com/usefulinfo/lightprot.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCrHo_cNx0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y4RWlKwvN4&feature=related
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/cone-of-protection-myth.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake

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http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0857864.html
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/earthquakes.html
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/why.html
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php
http://www.geography-site.co.uk/pages/physical/earth/cause.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_earthquakes
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/intensity.html
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/magnitude.html
http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/equake/mag_and_int_e.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/16132/html/quakeinfo/protect.html
http://www.ugr.es/~iag/divulgacion/div_d_e.html
http://earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp2pGxFzrzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Yf2_cNvcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPiujuF0TA
Procedure
Teacher-Student Activities
A. Warm up Session
Begin the lesson by demonstrating an activity. Rub a balloon on a woollen shawl or sweater
and then bring the balloon close to the wall. Ask the learners why the balloon gets stuck to the
wall. Also, ask them why they see tiny sparks or hear crackling sounds while combing dry hair,
walking barefoot on a woollen carpet or while taking off a sweater or a woollen cap. After the
learners have answered, talk about charging of objects and then lead into the lesson.

B. Interaction Between Charged Objects
In this activity, the learners will be asked to explain the interaction between charged objects.
Teachers Notes
Divide the class into small groups. Each group has to perform two experiments to prove that:
Like charges repel each other
Unlike charges attract each other
Ask the groups to use different materials such as glass rod, plastic balls, balloons, straws,
refills and combs to demonstrate these experiments in the class.
Note: You may ask the groups to perform experiments given in the TeachNext module
Lighting and Charge.

C. Construction of a Simple Electroscope

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In this activity, the learners will be taught to construct a simple electroscope.
Teachers Notes
Note: This activity should be conducted under your supervision.

Materials Required:
Clean glass jar
Cardboard sheet
Wire
Two strips of aluminium foil

Ask the learners to make a simple electroscope as given in the TeachNext module Transfer of
Charge. Now, provide the learners some charged objects. Thereafter, the learners need to
bring these charged objects near the hook one by one. Ask the learners to write their
observations and submit it.

D. Discussion on an Earthing
In this activity, the learners will be taught about an earthing.
Teachers Notes
Show the wires in a three pin pug to the learners. Now, tell them about the earthing wire which
is green in colour. From here, initiate a discussion in the class by asking the learners what they
understand by the term earthing. After they have answered, explain the process of earthing.
Also, mention the importance of earthing wires as well as lightning conductor in buildings.

E. Presentation: Lighting and Earthquakes
In this activity, the learners will be asked to make presentations on lightning and earthquakes.

Teachers Notes
Divide the class into two groups A and B.
Group A: Lighting
Group B: Earthquakes
Ask each group to make a presentation on the assigned topic in the class one by one. Provide
the following pointers:
Group A:
Formation of lightning
Effects of lightning
Lightning-prone areas
Group B:
Causes of an earthquake
Effects of an earthquake
Earthquake-prone areas

Note: You may ask the groups to use illustrations or images from the Internet to make their
presentation interesting.

F. Charts on Thunderstorm and Earthquake: Dos and Donts
In this activity, the learners will be asked to list the precautions and safety measures that
should be taken during a thunderstorm and an earthquake.
Teachers Notes
Divide the class into two groups A and B.
Group A: Will make a chart on the dos and donts during a thunderstorm
Group B: Will make a chart on the dos and donts during an earthquake
Ask each group to prepare charts on the assigned topic and then present them in the class one

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by one. Later, the charts can be displayed in the classroom.
Note: You may ask the groups to use illustrations or images from the Internet to make their
chart interesting.

G. Flash Card Activity
In this activity, the learners will be asked to identify the terms used in the lesson.
Teachers Notes
On the flash cards, write the description of the various terms taught in the chapter. Display the
flash card one by one in the classroom. Ask the learners to identify the term. For example, on
the flash card show the description The point where the earthquake originates. The answer is
Focus.

Interesting Facts
The first seismograph was invented by Chang Heng, a Chinese scientist, in 132 AD
The Earth experiences an average of 25 million lightning strikes during some 100,000
thunderstorms, annually
Lightning strikes also occur on other planets, such as Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and
Uranus

Lesson Closure
Close the lesson by conducting an earthquake mock drill in the class to demonstrate life saving
skills. At the end, mention the importance of following the safety measures during earthquakes
and thunderstorms.

Supplemental
Activities

Ask the learners to do the following activities:
Visit the Indian Meteorological Department website (http://www.imd.gov.in/). Look for
the earthquakes that occurred in the current month in India and its neighbourhood. On
a map mark the places where these earthquakes occurred.
Imagine that a recent thunderstorm and lightning destroyed life and property in your
city. Write a letter to your friend describing the loss. Also, mention the precautions and
safety measures that should be followed to minimise or prevent the loss.
Expected
Outcome
After studying this chapter, the learners will be able to explain the concept of electric charge
and how it gets transferred from one object to another. They will be able to discuss the
interaction between two charged objects. They will also be able to describe the construction
and working of an electroscope as well as the mechanism of an earthing. Moreover, the
learners will be able to explain the causes of lighting and earthquakes and its devastating
effects. They will also be able to state the precautionary and safety measures that need to be
taken during these natural calamities.

Student
Deliverables
Review questions given by the teacher
Observations of charged objects using an electroscope
Presentation on lightning and earthquakes
Charts on dos and donts during a thunderstorm and an earthquake
Assessment
Question Bank created by the SME in TN box