USING THE STORYLINE METHOD IN GEOLOGIC HAZARDS EDUCATION

The Storyline Method is based on the theory that knowledge is complex and many layered, that learning is guided by one’s prior knowledge and experience, and that learners construct their own meaning through action and experience. Storyline provides the context for learning that actively engages the student, building on the student’s own experiences, and developing knowledge based on a student’s self determined needs. The goal of the storyline is to bring many elements of the curriculum into a collective interactive environment; an environment created by the student.

Sunnyside Environmental School (SES) is a K-8 elementary magnet program in the Portland Public School (PPS) District. The 6-8 grade classes are multi age, approximately 245 students distributed between 8 Environmental Core teachers. SES implements a 3 year rotating science curriculum: The Year of the Mountain (Earth Science); The year of the Forest (Life Science); and The Year of the River (Physical Science). The Mountain Year Storyline curriculum explores earth science from a local perspective. Through the storyline method, students become characters, geoscientists, who are charged with investigating geologic safety in Portland region. Student scientists have to prove the safety of their field trip to Mt. St. Helen’s after a visit from PPS risk management questioning their trip. Students then investigate the earthquake safety of their school building, and finally have to explore the tsunami risk of their proposed trip to the Oregon Coast. As students address these safety concerns, they research local geology in a systematic way building knowledge of basic earth science and applying it to their local region. Students are engaged, their knowledge is applied, and they understand the geology of their place. Earth Science topics include: The Structure of the Earth, Plate Tectonics, the Geologic History of Oregon, Volcanoes and the Ring of Fire, Earthquakes and Seismology, and Tsunamis. Throughout the unit students write persuasive letters to PPS officials demonstrating their geologic knowledge. The study culminates with a celebration and sharing of all that we have learned in the unit.