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Science Lesson Plan
Understanding Volcanoes1
Grade Level: 1
STANDARDS
This lesson plan may be used to address the academic standards listed below. These
standards are drawn from Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and
Benchmarks for K-12 Education: 2nd Edition and have been provided courtesy of the
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learningin Aurora, Colorado.
BENMARKS
(K-2)Knows that Earth materials consist of solid rocks and soils, liquid water and the
gases of the atmosphere.Knows the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth's
surface.
OBJECTIVES
Following this activity, students will understand the following:
- A volcano can acts as a giant cooling vent for Earth’s inner core
MATERIALS
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Newspaper
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Smocks or lab coats for all group members
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Modeling clay, salt dough, or soil
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Small empty plastic soda bottle
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Baking pan
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Red food coloring
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Liquid detergent
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Two tablespoons (25 milliliters) baking soda
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Funnel
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Vinegar
Video from Youtube: Volcano erupting
http://youtu.be/R0Zbj7S22zs
VOCABULARY
- Core
Definition: The central portion of the Earth below the mantle, consisting of iron and
nickel.
Context: In the center is the yellow core of the planet, a mass of hot liquid iron and
nickel.
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Adapted from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/understanding-volcanoes.cfm#top
Natural Disaster Unit
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Science Lesson Plan
- Mantle
Definition: The layer of the Earth between the crust and the core.
Context: The white of the egg represents a layer of hot rock called the mantle.
- Crust
Definition: The exterior portion of the Earth that lies above the Mohorovicic
discontinuity.
Context: The eggshell is the earth's crust.
PROCEDURES
Natural Disaster Unit
1. Review with your students what they have learned about volcanoes. In discussing
what they know about volcanoes, bring out the following background information:
- At Earth's center is a core of hot liquid iron and nickel.
- Earth is made up of interlocking pieces of land called tectonic plates .
- Heat from Earth's core can escape to the outside through a gap between tectonic plates,
or heat can "punch" through the middle of a tectonic plate, releasing pressure and heat to
the outside.
1. Tell students that the teacher is going to create model volcanoes that will help them
visualize what a real volcanic eruption is like.
2. Make sure students can see the processes clearly when being safe.
4. Line the work area with newspaper and put on smocks or lab coats to prevent
staining desktops or clothing.
5. Place the soda bottle in the baking pan, and mold the clay, dough, or soil into a
"mountain" around the bottle. The teacher should be sure not to cover the bottle opening
or to allow any material to get inside the bottle.
6. Fill the bottle almost to the top with warm water mixed with a little red food
coloring.
7. Next, add 6 drops of liquid detergent to the bottle.
8. Then add the baking soda to the bottle, using the funnel.
9. Also using the funnel to help pour the vinegar slowly into the bottle.
10. Once the vinegar is added, students should see a red, foamy mixture rise over the
top of the "volcano" and flow down its slopes. Tell students that the mixture represents
the lava that flows down the sides of a real volcano.
11. Explain to students how this models resemble a real volcano. Here is an
explanation you might give:
The molten metal that makes up Earth's core is called magma . Extreme heat can cause
bubbles of carbon dioxide gas in magma to expand. The expanding gas pushes the
magma into the vent, or opening, of a volcano and up to Earth's surface. A volcanic
eruption occurs when the magma overflows. The overflowing magma is called lava .
Vinegar and baking soda, when mixed together, react chemically to create carbon
dioxide gas. The gas bubbles build up inside the bottle, forcing the liquid out of the
bottle. In this way, the model is similar to a real volcano.
12. To end the lesson, show the video “volcano erupting”
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Science Lesson Plan
DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
Who Wants to Be a Volcanologist?
Have students contact the National Geographic Society for information on
volcanologists and what they do. Have them describe the positive and negative aspects
of a job as a volcanologist.
CREDIT
Diane F. Hoffman, second grade teacher, Bel Pre Elementary School, Silver Spring,
Maryland.
Natural Disaster Unit
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