The Power of Volcanoes
Learning Sequence
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Welcome to Volcano Week!
This week, students will explore volcanoes in detail, gaining an understanding of how they work. They will watch a video from Iceland to observe volcanic activity and learn new vocabulary related to volcanoes. The week will include activities such as drawing diagrams of volcanoes, mapping fault lines, creating a volcano tour advertisement, and engaging in mathematics focused on volcanic data. Students will also build erupting papier-mâché volcanoes and take a quiz at the end of the week. If they achieve a score of 80% or higher, they will receive a certificate to recognise their understanding of volcanoes.
Begin by showing the video that illustrates volcanic activity. Students should watch closely, paying attention to how the landscape changes and how people and the environment are affected. After the video, lead a discussion on the natural forces at play, such as lava flows and eruptions. Encourage students to connect these observations to the scientific principles they are learning. Ask questions to guide critical thinking, helping students analyse the real-world impacts of volcanic activity on both the natural world and human populations. This will prepare them for deeper engagement in later activities.
Get ready for an exciting adventure where you’ll become volcano experts! This week, we’ll learn how volcanoes work, watch a cool video from Iceland, and discover new words to help us talk about these powerful wonders of nature.
You’ll draw a volcano, find out where the biggest ones are around the world, and even create an advertisement for a volcanic tour! Plus, we’ll do some fun volcano maths and build your own erupting papier-mâché volcano. If you do well on the quiz, you’ll earn a special certificate! It’s time to learn, create, and have fun as we explore the amazing world of volcanoes!
You’ll also step into the shoes of someone who survived the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. We’ll watch a video showing what the eruption might have looked like, and then you’ll write a short story as if you were a survivor, describing how you felt and what it was like to see half the city disappear under ash.
Your Weekly Keywords
Students will work in teams to define important terms related to volcanoes, such as “magma,” “lava,” “eruption,” and “tectonic plates.” The class should begin by reviewing the video and previous lessons to gather any initial understanding of these terms.
Each team will create definitions and then share their ideas with the class. As a group, refine the definitions until a clear and accurate understanding is established. This activity encourages collaboration and helps students articulate scientific concepts, reinforcing their learning and improving their communication skills in a scientific context.
In this activity, you will be working with your classmates to figure out what important volcano-related words mean, such as “magma,” “lava,” “eruption,” and “tectonic plates.” Use what you’ve learned from the video and lessons to come up with good definitions for each word.
After your group has finished, everyone will share their answers, and together, we’ll make sure we understand each word correctly. This will help you learn how to talk about volcanoes like a real scientist!
Quote of the Week – Jules Verne
Present our quote from a notable author and guide the students in a discussion about its meaning. Students should reflect on how understanding volcanoes can help protect people and the environment.
Teachers can ask guiding questions to help students think critically about how studying volcanic activity benefits society, such as by improving disaster preparedness and environmental protection. The discussion will also highlight the dual nature of volcanoes, as both destructive and beautiful forces, fostering a deeper appreciation for the balance between natural hazards and human safety.
Read the quote from famous author ‘Jules Verne’, and then think about how understanding volcanoes can help protect people and save lives. In this discussion, we’ll talk about how volcanoes can be both dangerous and beautiful, and how studying them helps us stay safe.
Think about how volcanologists learn from eruptions to help make the world a safer place. This activity will help you see why it’s important to study volcanoes and how scientific knowledge can make a difference.
Volcano Comprehension Questions
Once students have learned about the structure and function of volcanoes, they will answer comprehension questions designed to deepen their understanding. Teachers should encourage students to take their time when answering, focusing on synthesizing the information they’ve gathered throughout the week.
Some questions can be discussed with peers before being written down. This process not only helps assess their knowledge but also encourages reflective thinking. The goal is for students to demonstrate their understanding of how volcanoes work and how they impact the surrounding environment, while practicing clear and thoughtful expression.
Now that we’ve learned so much about volcanoes and how they work, it’s time to show what you understand by answering some comprehension questions. These questions will help you think deeply about volcanoes and show how well you can explain what you’ve learned.
For these questions, take your time and think about what you’ve learned. You can write out your answers or talk about them with a friend before writing.
These questions will help you put together all the information we’ve explored and show how volcanoes impact the world around us!
Write Your Answers Here
This template is designed for students to record their answers to volcano-related questions. It encourages independent research or collaboration with peers and the teacher for unanswered questions. Teachers can use this as a tool to assess understanding while promoting teamwork and self-guided learning for difficult topics.
Use this template to record your answers to the questions listed on the volcano information sheet. For any questions you cannot answer, simply leave them blank for now and consider finding the answers through further research or by working alongside your peers or teacher to help complete the task.
Creating a Diagram of a Volcano
In this activity, students will draw a detailed diagram of a volcano, labelling key parts such as the magma chamber, crater, and lava flow. Teachers should guide students to ensure that all essential components of a volcano are included and accurately labelled.
This activity helps reinforce the scientific knowledge they have gained about the structure of volcanoes. In addition, students are encouraged to be creative in their representation while maintaining scientific accuracy. The diagram will be used in later activities to further explore volcanic processes and their effects on the Earth’s surface.
Now it’s time to get creative! You’ll be making a detailed diagram of a volcano, showing all its different parts like the magma chamber, crater, and lava flow. Grab your pencils and paper, and let’s get drawing! Make sure to label each section so it’s easy to understand. Don’t forget to be creative—your volcano can look as cool as you want it to!
Use your research skills to identify the names and functions of the four different parts of the volcano below. Once you have completed your research, fill in each box with a brief explanation for each part. Keep your explanations short and concise.
Mapping Fault Lines Around the World
Students will use a world map to identify tectonic plate boundaries and the locations of the Earth’s plates and the top 5 active volcanoes. Teachers will instruct them on how to label these fault lines accurately and identify patterns in volcanic activity.
The goal of the activity is for students to recognise where the Earth’s plates are moving and how this relates to the formation of volcanoes. This task will improve students’ geographic literacy and their understanding of the connections between geology and natural phenomena, particularly how tectonic movements influence the Earth’s surface and volcanic eruptions.
We know that volcanoes often form near the edges of tectonic plates. Now you’ll use a world map to find these plates and see where the most active volcanoes are. You’ll also label the different plates and even the fault lines, which show where the Earth’s plates meet.
Look for patterns—do you notice where some of the world’s biggest volcanoes are located? By the end of this activity, you’ll be able to spot the “hot spots” where the Earth’s plates are moving!
Math Activity – Volcanic Maths
In this math activity, students will calculate data related to volcanic eruptions, such as the pressure inside a volcano or the volume of lava produced. Teachers should provide students with the necessary formulas and guide them in solving these problems.
Working in pairs, students will practice applying mathematical concepts to real-world situations, helping them understand the immense power of volcanic eruptions through numbers. This activity not only reinforces math skills but also connects these skills to scientific inquiry, demonstrating how math is used to analyse natural events and predict their outcomes.
Let’s crunch some numbers! You’ll learn about the pressure inside a volcano, the amount of lava that can be produced, and how volcanoes impact the Earth in terms of size and power.
Get ready for some awesome volcanic math! You’ll work on solving problems related to the pressure inside a volcano and the amount of lava produced.
Don’t worry if it seems tricky at first—math helps us understand just how powerful volcanoes are. Work with a friend to solve these challenges and discover the numbers behind the science!
Watch - A Day in Pompeii
Students will watch a virtual reenactment of the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, focusing on the destruction of Pompeii. Instruct students to pay close attention to the visual details in the video, as this will help them in the following activities.
After the video, lead a discussion on how the eruption unfolded and its impact on the environment and the people living in Pompeii. The aim is for students to gain an immersive understanding of how volcanic activity can drastically alter human life and the landscape in a short period of time.
During the video on the opposite side, we will take you back to 79 AD in southern Italy to the city of Pompeii. This town was located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, one of the most explosive volcanoes ever to erupt.
Sit back and watch a virtual reenactment of what it might have looked like to gaze out of a small house window and witness 24 hours at the base of an erupting volcano.
Make sure to pay attention to the small features and details in the video, as this will help you with the next task below.
Enjoy!
Spin the Wheel of Survival
Introduce your students to the Spin the Wheel of Survival activity, which helps inspire creative ideas for their chapter books about surviving Pompeii’s eruption.
By spinning the wheel, students can explore different ways their characters might escape, making the writing process engaging and imaginative. It’s a fun way to spark creativity!
In preparation for writing your very own chapter book based on surviving the eruption in Pompeii, we have designed a wheel to help you come up with creative ways to escape such a catastrophe.
Spin the wheel if you need inspiration for how your character might survive this mighty explosion. Once you’ve found an idea you like, you can move on to the next activity and start writing your short story.
Have fun spinning!
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Short Story – The Story of a Survivor
Following the video on Pompeii, students will write a short story imagining they were survivors of the Mount Vesuvius eruption. Teachers should first provide an example of how to start the story, ensuring students understand the historical context and sensory details that would have been experienced during the eruption.
Students are encouraged to be as creative and descriptive as possible, focusing on the emotions and environment of Pompeii in 79 AD. This writing exercise will allow students to combine their understanding of volcanic activity with creative narrative skills, deepening their engagement with the subject.
Now that you understand volcanoes and have seen their immense power, it’s time to unleash your creativity and imagine what it would be like to be a survivor of such a cataclysmic event.
Imagine you are living in Pompeii on August 24-25, 79 AD, gazing out of the window when the earth begins to shake, and smoke billows from the volcano’s vent. You must decide how to get to safety.
Read my example of a short story, and then, using my writer’s template, write your own version of ‘The Story of a Survivor.’ Be as creative and descriptive as possible! Remember, this is 79 AD, so make sure you understand what life was like for the people of Pompeii before you start.
Once completed, you can upload your story to the Upschool library and even order your own printed copy delivered to your school. Simply download your book as a PDF, hit the upload button below, and follow the prompts.
Good luck!
Creating an Advertisement for a Volcanic Tour
In this activity, students will design an advertisement for a volcanic tour, using what they’ve learned about volcanoes to highlight key features that would attract tourists. Teachers should instruct students to include persuasive language, visual design, and interesting facts about the volcano they are promoting.
This exercise encourages students to apply their scientific knowledge in a creative way, while also practicing persuasive writing and communication skills. The final product should be visually appealing and informative, demonstrating an understanding of both the scientific and commercial aspects of volcanoes.
You’re now a volcano expert, so it’s time to use your knowledge to create something exciting! Imagine you’re advertising a volcanic tour.
You’ll design an ad that shows off the beauty and adventure of visiting one of the world’s highest volcanoes. Use your artistic skills to make people want to visit this amazing place.
Don’t forget to include a wonderful adventure package that will entice people to visit your volcano and truly make your ad stand out!
Hands-On: Making a Clay Model Volcano
Students will build their own model volcano using clay, paint, and other materials. Teachers should guide them step-by-step in shaping the volcano to ensure it looks accurate. Once the model is complete, students will simulate an eruption using baking soda, vinegar, and food colouring.
Teachers will explain the science behind the eruption and encourage students to present their volcano models to younger students, describing how volcanoes work. This hands-on activity reinforces the concepts learned throughout the week and helps students practice communication and leadership skills through teaching others.
It’s time to get hands-on and make your very own volcano! You’ll build a model volcano out of clay, shaping and painting it to look just like the real thing.
Once it’s ready, we’ll make it erupt using baking soda, vinegar, and food colouring. Then, you’ll get to explain how volcanoes erupt to younger children in your school. You’ll be the expert, so have fun and get creative!
Volcano Quiz – Earn Your Certificate!
At the end of the week, students will take a quiz to assess their knowledge of volcanoes. The quiz will cover key concepts learned during the course, and students will need to score at least 80% to earn a Volcano Expert Certificate.
Teachers should emphasise the importance of mastering the material, while also encouraging students to aim for improvement if they don’t pass on the first attempt. The quiz not only tests recall but also reinforces critical thinking and understanding of volcanic processes. Students who achieve the required score will be recognised with a certificate.
Now that you’ve learned so much about volcanoes, it’s time to test your knowledge! Below are 10 questions to check what you’ve learned. If you get 80% or more correct, you will earn a special Volcano Expert Certificate! Ready to prove what you know? Let’s go!
Further Resources
Teachers and parents can explore the links below for additional materials to support the Write a Book course, including an emotional colouring book, reflection activities, and resources specifically designed to help parents administer the course from home.