Blasts from the Past

Target Curriculum: Science

Target Grade: 5 - 5

SOLs: C/T.GR5.3   C/T.GR5.4   E/W.5.7   E/W.5.8   SCI.5.7  
Time: 3-4 class periods

Objective:
The student will
-describe the forces that cause volcanoes.
-research to locate information using electronic resources.
-create a newspaper using desktop publishing software.

Purpose:
To give students the opportunity to explore a subject that is very popular with them - volcanoes. After discussing plate tectonics, students will research to locate information about volcanoes in the world. They will use this information to create a "newspaper" reporting the eruptions.

Materials:
Computer
World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia
Encarta
Internet Site: Volcano World http://volcano.und.nodak.edu
Student Writing Center or other word processing software

Procedure:
1. During the unit on plate tectonics, students will learn about the forces that cause volanic activity.
2. Each student or small group of students will select a volcano to research.
3. Using electronic resources such as World Book and the Internet students will locate information about the volcano.
4. The students will use that information to write a newspaper article reporting the eruption.
5. The articles will be compiled into a class newpaper.

Observations:
The teacher will observe the students using research skills to locate information from electronic resources, writing skills as they write their newspaper article, and technology skills as they produce the newspaper.

Conclusions:
Students will use a variety of resources to locate and synthesize information, then use their writing and technology skills to create a newspaper articla reporting the facts of the volcanic eruption.

For Your Information:
Students love learning about volcanoes and using the computer. The Internet site, Volcano World, is great.

Extension:
Use a map showing the boundaries of the different plates. Plot the location of the volcanoes that the students researched, then discuss the relationship between volcanic activity and the plate boundaries.

Class Discussion Questions:
What causes volcanoes?
What are the different types of volcanoes?
Which kind of volcano causes the most damage?
Are people usually killed in volcanic eruptions?
Why are volcanoes usually found on plate boundaries?