Lesson Plan: Fatema Ashaish

CIS 221

Volcanic Eruptions
Grade(s)

Elementary 3rd Grade

Subject(s)
Science-Volcanic Eruptions

Length of Lesson
45 minutes
Lesson
Overview/Rational

The students will identify and describe what a volcanic eruption is.
The students will first go on the computers and search what is a
volcanic eruption? Explain how a volcanic eruption happens
(Cause/Effects). The students will type and print this information.
All of the information the students printed about the volcanic
eruptions will be organized on a poster. Students will conduct a
volcanic eruption experiment. Each group will do a presentation of
the experiment, poster, and what they learned. After the group
presentations, the students will be given a handout with 15 questions
Due at the end of class. This volcano eruption experiment will
identify and describe the main cause of change in the earths
surface. This experiment will give the students an idea of what a real
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Lesson Plan: Fatema Ashaish

CIS 221

Volcanic Eruptions
volcanic eruption with flowing lava looks like. The reaction of
pouring the vinegar will bubble up and flow down the side like a
real volcano. The students will be graded on the poster, 15 question
handout, experiment, group presentation, organization, and
creativity.
Curriculum
Framework/Standard

E.SE.E.2 Surface Changes- The surface of Earth changes. Some

changes are due to slow processes, such as erosion and
weathering; and some changes are due to rapid processes,
such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.
E.SE.03.22 Identify and describe natural causes of change in the
Earths surface (erosion, glaciers, volcanoes, landslides,
and earthquakes).
Michigan Department Education Pg.36

Learning Objectives

Technology Uses

Materials

Students will:
Understand the cause/effect of a volcanic eruption.
Use the internet to gather information.
Identify and describe the main cause of change in the earths
surface.
Students will read and comprehend informational materials.
Students will prepare and deliver a group presentation.
Students will examine, and describe the natural effects of a
volcanoes.
Conduct a volcanic eruption experiment.
Students will uses the computers to search the internet to:
Identify and describe the main cause of change in the earths
surface.
Describe a volcanic eruption with a presentation.
Explain how volcanic eruptions happen (Cause/Effect).
Plastic soda bottle
Construction paper
Flat piece of cardboard 30 in. by 30 in.
Plastic wrap
5 drops each red and yellow Food coloring
Stapler
1/2 Warm water
Duct tape
2 Tbsp. Baking soda
Tissue
1/4 cup Dish soap
1/4. vinegar
Play dough (clay)
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Lesson Plan: Fatema Ashaish

CIS 221

Volcanic Eruptions
Procedure

Assessment

1) First cover the cardboard with construction paper. Then,

cover the cardboard with plastic wrap, and staple the plastic
wrap to the back of the cardboard.
2) We will start making the cone of the volcano. Each group
will place the bottle in the center of the cardboard in a
standing position, facing up.
3) Duct tape the bottle to the center of the cardboard. Start to
mold the play dough around the bottle into a volcano shape.
Don't cover the hole or the opening of the bottle.
4) Add ingredients to the volcano. This includes water, vinegar,
dish detergent, and food coloring. Do not add the baking
soda at this stage.
5) Be careful add the baking soda when you are ready for the
eruption. Wrap the baking soda in a tissue and drop it into
the volcano. The baking soda will react with the vinegar and
this will cause an eruption.
Students will be assessed based on:
A rubric evaluating how each group put effort in to this
experiment this includes teamwork, organization, and
creativity.
The group presentation, experiment and poster.
A handout with 15 questions it will be graded.

Lesson Plan: Fatema Ashaish

CIS 221

Volcanic Eruptions
Category

Handout

Volcano Model

Labeling

Excellent

Acceptable

Below Average

(15 pts.)

(10 pts.)

(5 pts.)

Student can
accurately answer all
questions related to
facts in the poster and
processes used to
create the poster and
volcano experiment.

Student can
accurately answer
about 75% of
questions related to
facts in the poster and
processes used to
create the poster and
volcano experiment.

Student can
accurately answer
about 50% of
questions related to
facts in the poster
and processes used to
create the poster.

(20 pts.)

(15 pts.)

(5 pts.)

All instructions were

followed thoroughly,
with care and focus
on detail, volcano
erupts properly, and
model looks Great.
Student has made
measurable efforts to
make the volcano
look like a real
volcano. Student has
properly recorded
data

Instructions were
followed: volcano
erupts properly,
model looked well
done.

Some instructions
were followed, but is
missing two or more
steps

(15 pts.)

(10 pts.)

All parts of the

volcano are clearly
labeled well
organized with labels
that can be read from
the back of the room.

Poster is missing 1-4 Poster is missing 5 or

labels entirely, poorly more labels entirely,
organized
and no volcano
diagram

Students model does

not make an attempt
at realistically, well
done.

Score

Student is focused
only on blowing up
the volcano, but not
on the history, or on
the main point of
volcanos the way a
volcano model is
supposed to look.
(5 pts.)

Lesson Plan: Fatema Ashaish

CIS 221

Volcanic Eruptions
Poster

Teamwork

Organization

(20 pts.)

(15 pts.)

(5 pts.)

Poster is neat,
creative, and wellorganized. Contains
the lots of detail. Lots
of color and pictures

Poster is tidy and

organized but, Poster
is somewhat messy.
Missing some
information like a
diagram of a volcano,
pictures, and steps for
the experiment

Poster lacks neatness

and organization.
Missing lots of
information. No
volcano diagram and
missing the materials
for the volcanic
eruption

(20 pts.)

(15 pts.)

(5 pts.)

Students worked
great together as a
group. Very
respectful, opened,
and positive attitude.

Students worked well

as a group. Accepted
suggestions, and
positive attitude.

Students lacked
openness of
suggestions for
improvement. Has a
difficult time being
on task.

(15 pts.)

(10 pts.)

(5 pts.)

Well organized
everything is set up
perfectly from the
poster to the volcano
model

Was organized in
some places but, did
not have the
information on the
poster organized and
it was not neat.

Very messy. Missing

organization in some
parts of the poster.

Total Assignments Score: