Earthquake Worksheet

Name:

Date:

Learning Goals

WALT (We Are Learning To): Identify plot structure and analyse character development using evidence from the text

Success Criteria:

• I can identify the main events in the story's plot structure
• I can explain how characters change throughout the story
• I can find evidence from the text to support my ideas

Key Vocabulary

Before we read the text, have a go at writing your own definitions for these words, and use them in a sentence.

Start with the words that you know, and then scan the text for context clues to answer the ones that you don't :)

1. earthquake: _________________________________

2. magnitude: _________________________________

3. aftershocks: _________________________________

4. evacuated: _________________________________

Making Connections

Are you familiar with the Christchurch earthquakes? Do some research online and have a go at answering these questions. Use full sentences.

1. What do you know about the Christchurch earthquakes? (When did they happen? What happened?

2. How do you think people felt during and after the Christchurch earthquakes?

3. What kinds of problems did people face during the Christchurch earthquakes?

4. How might living through an earthquake change the way a family lives afterwards?

5. What questions do you have about earthquakes before reading this story?

Plot Structure and Character Development
We will add details to this section as we go. These will help you for our next activity after we have finished the text.

Plot Structure Chart

Fill in the main events from the story. Use full sentences.

Beginning (What happens first?):

Middle (What is the main problem/conflict?):

End (How is the problem resolved?):

Character Development

Use evidence from the text to answer:

1. Who are the characters and how do they feel at the beginning of the story? Quote evidence from the text:

2. Do any characters change by the end of the story? Who and how? What evidence supports this?

3. What actions do the characters take to cope with the earthquake? Give specific examples:

Extra for Fast Finishers:

• Research a real earthquake in New Zealand and compare it to Ellie's experience. Create a poster in your literacies book.

• Write an additional paragraph in your literacies book about what might happen next in the story.

Earthquake Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Earthquake Worksheet