What Is an Earthquake
Know what an earthquake is: a sudden shaking of the ground that can be strong or weak
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“What Is an Earthquake means defining an earthquake as sudden ground shaking that can be strong or weak. We will practise once together, then check a fresh example.”
Bring to the table
- Shake / still cards
- Word cards: sudden, strong, weak
Extra for the adult
Worked example. An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground. It can be strong or weak.
Optional challenge. For What Is an Earthquake, add strong or weak.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: definition said; support used. This session samples earthquake meaning, not mastery of seismology.
Share and support
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
What Is an Earthquake means defining an earthquake as sudden ground shaking that can be strong or weak. We will practise once together, then check a fresh example.
Spend about 12 minutes acting gentle table shakes vs still, saying the definition, then checking a fresh retell.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceWhat Is an Earthquake practice
Choose the earthquake definition.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
USGS · Practice link — not the full lesson
Earthquakes for Kids
Before you open · source notes
Earthquakes for Kids supports What Is an Earthquake. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public USGS page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
USGS. “Earthquakes for Kids.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Describe an earthquake as the ground shaking suddenly
- Explain that earthquakes vary in strength from barely noticeable to very strong
- Describe what it might feel like during an earthquake
“Can your child explain that an earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes, and that some earthquakes shake harder than others?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Age range
- Ages 5–7