ScienceVolcanoes & EarthquakesAges 7–11

Why Earthquakes Happen

Understand that earthquakes happen when rocks underground suddenly move or break, releasing energy that shakes the ground

Lesson

Set out your lesson

Distinguish underground earthquake cause from surface effects.

Before teaching

Activity

Can attend to a short explanation and respond orally, by pointing, drawing or writing; check relevant prerequisite understanding rather than assuming age proves readiness.

Policy

Check readiness rather than assuming age or source graph order establishes attainment.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes

Materials

Prepared passage, diagram materials are available in each step.

Preparation

Open the teaching material first. Keep the adult key and check sheet separate until their named stage. No printing, purchase or external media is required for the supplied adapted text tasks.

Safety

Use paper only; no shaking heavy furniture or earthquake simulation around people.

Optional Observation

Only record a real observation after the activity is actually carried out safely; otherwise mark not carried out.

Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.

Next: Show

Adult extras

What this lesson covers and its limits

These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.

partial: Understand that earthquakes happen when rocks underground suddenly move or break, releasing energy that shakes the ground
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using supported sequence reading; repeated application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
partial: Explain that earthquakes are caused by rocks underground suddenly moving
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using supported sequence reading; repeated application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
partial: Describe how this movement sends shaking through the surrounding ground
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using supported sequence reading; repeated application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
partial: Distinguish between the underground cause and the surface effects of an earthquake
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using supported sequence reading; repeated application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
partial: If {{name}} felt a small tremor or saw footage of an earthquake, could they explain that it happens because rocks deep underground suddenly shift or crack?
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using supported sequence reading; repeated application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.

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Distinguish underground earthquake cause from surface effects.

Family records and proof options

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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

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Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

USGS · Practice link — not the full lesson

Earthquake Hazards Program

Open practice(new tab)

Before you open · source notes

Earthquake Hazards Program supports Why Earthquakes Happen. 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 open

Ask 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. “Earthquake Hazards Program.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

Explain that earthquakes are caused by rocks underground suddenly moving
Describe how this movement sends shaking through the surrounding ground
Distinguish between the underground cause and the surface effects of an earthquake

“If your child felt a small tremor or saw footage of an earthquake, could they explain that it happens because rocks deep underground suddenly shift or crack?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Volcanoes & Earthquakes
Age range: Ages 7–11

Standards

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