Lesson Plan Template

Subject(s): Volcanoes Date: 10/25/16

Teacher: Elise Foley School: California State University Dominguez Hills

1. Objective (What is the topic of discussion and reason for learning?)

Students will learn about volcanoes and their specific natures, as well what magma is,
its composition, and where it is generated. Students will also learn about viscosity,
the factors affecting this term, as well as the role of gases during a volcanic eruption.
Students will understand what lava flows are, the materials extruded during an
eruption, and the different characteristics of shield, cinder cone, and composite
volcanoes.

2. Learning Target(s): (What will students know & be able to do as a result of this
lesson?)

Students will know the following terms and information regarding volcanoes:
Magma is molten rock that contains some solid crystalline material and varying amounts of
dissolved gas (mainly water vapor), and lava is erupted magma. The composition of magma
bodies are either basaltic, andesitic, or Rhyolitic. Viscosity is a measure of a fluids mobility.
The more viscous a material, the greater is its resistance to flow. Magmas viscosity depends
primarily on its temperature and silica content. The more silica in magma, the greater its
viscosity. Silicate structures begin to link together into long chains early in the crystallization
process, which makes the magma more rigid and impacts its flow. The effect of temperature
on magma viscosity can be compared to the effect of temperature on pancake syrup. As lava
cools and begins to congeal, its viscosity increases, and the flow eventually halts. The nature
of volcanic eruptions also depends on the amount of dissolved gases held in the magma body
by the pressure exerted by the overlying rock. The gases dissolved in magma tend to come
out of solution when the confining pressure is reduced. Also, Gas content can change magma
mobility, gas expands near earths surface, and Ease for gas to escape relates to eruption
violence.

Students will know that the vast majority of Earths lava, more than 90 percent of the total
volume, is estimated to be basaltic (mafic) composition. Basaltic lavas- usually very fluid,
generally flow in thin, broad sheets or stream like ribbons. AA flows- have surfaces of rough
jagged blocks with dangerously sharp edges and spiny projections. Pahoehoe flows- exhibit
smoother surfaces that sometimes resemble twisted braids of ropes.
When volcanoes erupt energetically, they eject pulverized rock and fragments of lava and
the vent. The particles produced are called pyroclastic materials or tephra. These particles
consist of Ash and dust fine, glassy fragments Pumice porous rock from frothy lava
Lapilli walnut-sized material Cinders pea-sized material Blocks hardened or cooled lava,
Bombs ejected as hot lava
Anatomy of a volcano-fissure-cracks-develops in Earths crusts as magma moves forcefully
toward the surface. Conduit-pipe shaped, and terminates a surface opening. Vent-surface
opening. Volcanic cone-created by successive eruptions of lava, pyroclastic material, or
frequently a combination of both, often separated by long periods of inactivity. Crater
steep-walled depression at the summit, generally less than 1 kilometer in diameter
Caldera larger a summit depression typically greater than 1 kilometer in diameter,
produced by collapse following a massive eruption.
Types of Volcanoes- Shield volcano-Broad, slightly dome-shaped, composed primarily of
basaltic lava, generally cover large areas, produced by mild eruptions of large volumes of lava,
(Mauna Loa on Hawaii is a good example) Cinder cone-Built from ejected lava (mainly cinder-
sized) fragments, Steep slope angle, Rather small size, frequently occur in groups. Composite
Cones- Most located near Pacific Ocean, large, normal shaped volcanoes, Most violent type
activity, Often produce pyroclastic flows, Can move down slopes at speeds of 200 kph, Can
produce a lahar **Lahar volcanic mud flow.

3. Relevance/Rationale: (Why are the outcomes of this lesson important in the real
world? How will it benefit students to know this topic?)

After this lesson, students will be able to understand the volcanic hazards that are still
prevalent in our world. They will understand that lava flows, falling ash and volcanic
bombs cause fatalities, and they will be able to use what they have learned when
presented with a question regarding the effects of volcanoes.

4. Formative Assessment Criteria for success: (How will you & your students know if
they have successfully met the outcomes? By what criteria will they be assessed?)
After the activity, students will be given a quiz to check their understanding of the
terms used in this lesson.

1. TRUE OR FALSE: The more viscous a material, the weaker its resistance to flow.
Answer: FALSE
2. What is the most abundant gas found in most magma?
Answer: water vapor
3. Pahoehoe or AA flows: which one exhibits smooth surfaces that sometimes resemble
twisted braids or ropes?
Answer: Pahoehoe flows
4. TRUE OR FALSE: Ash and dust particles are produced when gas-rich viscous magma
erupts explosively
Answer: TRUE
5. Which is bigger, Lapilli particles or Block particles?
Answer: Block particles
6. Located at the summit of most volcanic cones is a somewhat funnel shaped
depression called what?
Answer: Crater
7. What kind of volcano has the most violent type activity?
Answer: Composite cones volcanoes
8. Which one is smaller, Shield or Cinder Cone volcano?
Answer: Cinder cone volcano
9. TRUE OR FALSE: Gas content cannot change magma mobility
 Answer: FALSE
10. TRUE OR FALSE: Most volcanoes are located within or near ocean basins
Answer: TRUE

5. Activities/Tasks: (What learning experiences will students engage in?)

I will start out the lesson plan by showing students an interactive video entitled All About
Volcanoes: How they form, Eruptions, and More! Afterwards, I will ask them to comment on
the video, what they found interesting, or if they have any questions.
Students will first be given a worksheet entitled inside a volcano. They will be given a
picture of a volcano, and will have to use their textbooks to label the diagram, and write in
definitions at the bottom. Some of the definitions include: main vent, crater, layers of ash and
lava, ash clouds, ash, volcanic bombs, magma chamber, lava flow, secondary cone, and more.

After this, students will get in groups of 5 and make their own volcano after watching the
YouTube video How to make a volcano. Students will make it out of paper mache, and will
be given a paper with the directions for more instruction. The group who is able to finish the
volcano and make it erupt first will win first place.

6. Resources/Materials: (What texts, digital resources, & Materials will be used in this
lesson?)

Volcano diagram worksheet

Textbook for definitions
Newspaper
Thick cardboard
Glue
Scissors
Large bottle
Masking tape
Pencil
Black marker
Paints
Glue
Sand
150 ml of vinegar per volcano
Few table spoons of bicarbonate soda per volcano