Do you know how the mountain grows?
 

Cotopoxi, Ecuador


Volcanoes
                                                                           5th Grade
 
Table of Contents
 
Georgia Performance Standard
Rationale
Related Web Sites
Activities
Software Reviews
Links to Other Pages

Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Georgia Performance Standard
S5E1. Students will identify surface features of the Earth caused by constructive and  destructive processes.
    a. Identify surface features caused by constructive processes.
       • Volcanoes
    b. Identify and find examples of surface features caused by destructive processes.
       • Volcano


Kilauea, Hawaii


Rationale
I chose volcanoes as a topic because volcanoes are a very important component of the earth's geography.  Not only are they creations of the earth, but they also cause damage to the earth.  Volcanoes may not affect the children that I have in my classroom, but volcanoes are alive and active today.  It is important to learn about how volcanoes work and how they are harmful to people, animals, and the land.  I believe it is also important for students in this area to recognize that every part of the world faces natural dangers.  Here in this part of the country, we face the potential of bad weather from tropical storms and hurricanes.  It is important to know what we can do to help others when something in nature may be destructive to people, places,and things. 




Santa Ana, El Salvador





  Web Sites





Volcanoes Online is filled with information about volcanoes.  It has a database of photos and information of volcanoes from all around the world.  It includes information about types of volcanoes, how a volcano erupts, types of eruptions, effects of eruptions, and what happens inside the earth to cause volcanoes.  This site has kid friendly diagrams and pictures and is very entertaining. 





Volcano World is a very extensive site that contains a lot of information on volcanoes.  It has current information and updates on live and active volcanoes, photos of current eruptions, interviews with volcanologists, information on volcanoes around the world, facts on types of volcanoes, a glossary of terms, and much more.  





Volcanoes is a very informative webiste that begins by discussing how rocks melt, volcanoes form, and how volcanoes erupt.  However, the main goal of this website is to raise awareness about volcanoes and the activity and risk that exists with volcanoes today.  This website poses the question, "Can we predict volcanic eruptions?" and explores the possibility of forecasting and coping with the risk of populating areas that neighbor active volcanoes. 





The Discovery Channel's Volcano Alert is an engaging informative site that will grab any viewers attention and hold it.  There is information on the causes of volcanoes, the types of volcanoes, and the effects volcanoes have on weather.  However, the most interesting thing on this site is the slideshow.  Take a few minutes to view the slideshow of 25 pictures of nine different volcanoes from around the world, their eruptions, and their aftermath.   





Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in history and in the year 79 AD it erupted and buried the city of Pompeii.  Visit this website for an interactive look at Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and the areas surrounding this famous volcano. 





Federal Emergency Management Agency for kids helps educate kids on volcanoes and the importance of volcano safety.  This site helps children explore facts, photos, and the importance of disaster safety in not only volcanoes, but also in hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.  There is even a place that will help you put together your very own disaster survival kit.  










Mauna Kea, Hawaii
          Topic Activities    
      

How Does A Volcano Erupt?
Primary Learning Outcomes
  •  The student will learn how a volcano erupts.
This activity will integrate science and language arts. 


Procedures
  • Go to Volcanoes Online.
  • Investigate the section on How A Volcano Erupts.
  • Take mental and pencil and paper notes on how a volcano erupts.
  • On Microsoft Word, write a brief descritption, in your own words, of how a volcano erupts.  Be sure to highlight key vocabulary words introduced on the website.  Explain the different types of eruptions. 
  • Go to the computer's START menu and open the Paint program.
  • Draw a Paint picture of the process of a volcano eruption.  Be sure to clarify which eruption you have drawn in your diagram. 

Product: The student will learn the key vocabulary words that are important in learning the concept of volcanic eruption.  The student will identify the different types of volcanic eruptions and how they form different types of volcanoes.



Make A Volcano  
Primary Learning Outcome
  • The student will learn about shield volcanoes and stratovolcanoes.
  • The students will construct their own shield or stratovolcano. 
  • The student will learn demonstrate how a volcano erupts.

This activity will integrate science and three-dimensional arts. 

Materials   
  • square piece of cardboard (1 per student)
  • small plastic vials--film containers, pill bottles
  • tape
  • newspaper
  • aluminum foil
  • spray paint
  • spray glue (optional)
  • sand (optional)
  • baking soda
  • vinegar
  • red food coloring
Procedures
  • The student will choose either a stratovolcano or a shield volcano to investigate and construct.
  • The student will go to any of the websites listed above to study and investigate the characteristics of their volcano.
  • The student will then go to Volcano World and find the section that says Teaching and Learning. Then go to Building Volcano Models.  Find the link on Shields and Stratovolcanoes.
  • This link gives very good instructions on how to construct a shield and a stratovolcano. 
  • By using the materials listed above, and any others available, the student will choose to design and construct either a stratovolcano or a shield volcano.
  • After their volcano has been constructed and painted, the students can make their volcano erupt by using baking soda and vinegar. 
  • Allow the students the option of adding food coloring for the added affect of the appearance of lava.
Product: After all the students have completed their volcanoes, they can share their products with the class and the eruptions can be done in front of the class as a whole.  The students will understand the physical difference between a shield volcano and a stratovolcano.  The students will be able to see how the lava flows out of the volcano and down the side of the mountain.  They will also be able to see how the pressure builds up inside the volcano until the lava pours out of the mountain. 






Interview With A Volcano
Primary Learning Outcomes
  • The student will investigate one specific volcano.
  • The student will describe specific characterisitcs of their volcano, including, but not limited to, type, location, and activity level.
This activity will integrate science, language arts, and visual arts.

Procedures:
  • The student will go to any of the websites listed on this page.  Volcanoes Online is strongly suggested.  It has a database of all major volcanoes. 
  • The student will choose one volcano of interest to them. 
  • The student will then do a complete"interview" of their volcano, investigating all aspects of the volcano.
    • Required questions to ask volcano:
      • Where are you located?
      • What type of volcano are you?
      • What types of distinguishing features do you have?
      • What type of eruption do you usually have?
      • Are you active, dormant, extinct, or intermittent?
      • When was your last eruption?
  • The student must also ask at least two questions of their own.
  • After the student has interviewed their volcano, they must type a brief description of their volcano in Microsoft Word. 
  • On a piece of poster board, the student will then draw a picture of their volcano, making sure to include surface features, surrounding geographic features, and any other distinguishing characteristics important to their volcano. 
  • Once the interviews and pictures are completed, each student will take a turn introducing their volcano to the rest of the class.

Product:  The students will build their language arts skills during the writing process.  During the investigation process the students will not only be reinforcing their knowledge gained on volcanoes, but applying it and connecting it to a specific volcano that they can study and learn about.  During the teaching of a volcano unit, there is not enough time to discuss each volcano in depth, this activity will give the students the opportunity to explore the volcanoes and their effects more in depth, helping them to make connections, and share their new knowledge with their classmates.  Through the interview and writing process, they will also be using their critical thinking skills. 













Mount  Saint Helens, Washington
United States of America











Software Reviews
 Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005
Published by Microsoft
Microsoft Encarta Refernce Library Premium 2005 can be used to as a research tool to explore volcanoes, their characterisitics, eruptions, and other aspects of volcanoes.  This is an extensive reference library with material from not only science, but also from history, social studies, math, the arts, and much more. 
Microsoft Enarta is a very useful tool that can be used at home and in the classroom.  It is very interactive and engaging.  The software is geared towards all ages, and includes a new kid-friendly Encarta Kids which allows elementary-aged children to navigate through a less overwhelming environment and even play educational games.  This software is a very valuable learning tool for any home or classroom. 
. 






Activity Tree--Volcanoes
Published by Nordic Software Products  
Volcanoes explains what happens inside the earth before, during,and after the eruption of a volcano.  Students will be able to explore volcanoes through interactive activities and photos from the United States Geological Survey. 
Volcanoes is educational science software that is specifically geared toward volcanoes, however it is not very extensive.  This is one in a long list of Activity Tree titles of Nordic Software Products, and would be good for classroom use during computer rotation time.  However, this program does not appear to be extensive enough to use for in depth research or investigation of volcanoes.







ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: Secret of the Living Volcano
Published by The Learning Company
The ClueFinders is a series of adventure games that targets different skills for each grade.  In the 5th grade, the ClueFinders help students build and master essential skills by going on an island adventure across the sea to an active volcano.  Students can play 16 different interactive games and puzzles and go through different levels.  This game will keep kids entertained while they are learning. 
ClueFinders is a computer game that can be used at home or at school during free time, center time, or computer rotation.  However, because it is a game and not a research tool, the students will be learning problem solving and critical thinking skills while they solve the puzzles and games, they may only learn minimal pieces of information about volcanoes.  This would a wonderful reinforcement activity, but it would not work as a research tool.








Kidspiration  2
Published by Inspiration Software Incorporated
Kidspiration is a software program from the makers of Inspiration that will help kids create organizers of all kinds to organize information, connect ideas, and communicate their thoughts.  Students can use Kidspiration while studying about volcanoes in many different ways.  They can use the graphic organizer tool to create a graphic organizer of the different types of volcanoes, the different types of volcano eruptions, and they can use the Super Grouper tool to categorize the volcanoes into active, dormant, and extinct.  The possibilities of the connections kids can make using this program are endless.
Kidspiration is designed for students grades K through 5, so there is plenty to do for all ages.  Kids can create graphic organizers or writing projects.  This is a very kid-friendly product with a wide variety of features that will not only engage children but will help them grow and learn.  The students should anticipate few problems using this program, however, encourage your students to be patient while they are learning to use the many features and possible projects of this program.  Kidspiration looks like a great program to have in any classroom.  Check out the virtual tour and see for yourself.
                                       



MS Paint
Published by Microsoft
Students can use MS Paint to draw pictures of volcanoes as they are erupting.  This program will help the students make visual connections of the process of how a volcano erupts. 
MS Paint is a valuable tool that all students should learn how to use.  MS Paint can be useful while teaching in any content area, but will also help in learning computer skills that can be used in other areas as well.

  




  






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