The following list of websites may be helpful for those looking for ways to create teaching moments connected to the Japan Earthquake and tsunami. In addition to pasting the list here, I am attaching a file for those who may wish to download and save a copy.
Tsunami! Bridge Data Tip Activity (Grades 8-12)
[url=http://www.vims.edu/bridge/index_archive0105.html]
Using tsunami time travel maps, students predict how long it will take a tsunami to reach the shore. The lesson incorporates a number of data maps and affords students to analyze quantitative data.
The Ring of Fire (9-12)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/15/g912/ring.html
In this lesson, students will learn more about plate tectonics as they investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire, where 75% of the Earth's active and dormant volcanoes are located.
Power of Fire (9-12)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/15/powerfire.html
Become a natural-hazard mapper! Figure out where people face danger from earthquakes and volcanoes, and create a map showing where these natural hazards may occur.
Fetch Me A Wave (9-12)
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03portland/background/edu/media/portlandfetch.pdf
How do ocean waves form, and what is the effect of extreme storms on wave formation?
Aggregated CNN Student News coverage (8-12)
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/studentnews/03/13/transcript.mon/index.html?iref=allsearch
This link takes you to aggregates CNN student news coverage of the Earthquake and Tsunami. There are numerous links to video footage.
The Science of Tsunamis (8-12)
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/science/tsunamis.html#standards
A 45 minute lesson plan that includes a demonstration to learn about wave propagation and a discussion of the PBS NewsHour program "Scientists Explain the Origin of South Asia's Deadly Disaster (1883 tsunami)
The Tsunami Lesson Plan (6-9)
http://www.ema.gov.au/www/ema/schools.nsf/Page/TeachLesson_PlansTsunami
The Australian government has created this tsunami lesson plan. Excellent explanations and exposure to students discussing tsunami preparation
Tsunami-Tidal Wave (9-12)
http://www.earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/tsumami/tsunami.html
Brought to you by an aggregation of Earth Science resources assembled by the Australian government, this explanations of tsunamis is adapted to HTML from the course notes of Prof. Stephen A. Nelson Tulane University.
Tsunamis- Geoscience Australia
http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/tsunami/tsunami-basics.html
Geoscience Australia put together this site on tsunamis with an especially nice image gallery
California Tsunami Lesson Plans (6-12)
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/Tsunami/Pages/student_activity.aspx
The State if California department of Conservation put together these teacher resources on tsunamis. The lesson plans have been created to provide an interactive activity with online California tsunami hazard maps. The lessons are targeted for use at 6th grade or higher grade level. These two activities provide students with real world applications using science based maps. The following California Earth Science Content Standards are reinforced in these lessons: