VOLCANO ACTIVITY AWARENESS (lesson plan)
Welcome to this aspect of the teacher's corner where we have provided a lesson plan as a follow-up to any class discussion, previous lessons,exercise or research on the topic of volcanoes. This volcano activity awareness lesson is designed to supplement and allow for a fun review of material that has been covered (to evaluate students knowledge of volcanoes and vocabulary) or, it can be modified to be presented as an introduction to volcanoes and their effects. It integrates language arts, drama through storytelling and roleplaying, as well as social studies aspects and of course science. Extension activities have also been included. Feel free to print out a copy of this for use in your class.
Introduction:
Present this part of the lesson to the students in an oral narrative form as a motivating tool.
"Imagine that you are living in a small town by a long dormant volcano. The sides of the old volcano are covered with trees,flowers and several green plants. Deer wander the slopes of the mountain and birds nest amidst the same trees. Hikers enjoy following the trails leading over and around the mountain during the summer and in the winter cross country skiers can explore these same routes. Life around here is very peaceful until one day a warning is issued from the geology centre nearby that there may be a return to active status for the volcano. However, very few of the people in the town pay any heed to these warnings. It has been thousands of years after all since the last eruption and almost everyone is certain that the mountain is not a threat to anyone.
As the local expert on volcanoes, you are worried for your friends and neighbours. Gradually, small signs emerge from the mountain that there may be a danger to the town. You feel it is time for you to warn the townspeople about the impending danger. But before the town can be evacuated, the mayor asks you to come up with proof that the volcano is returning to active status. What possible visual signs could you point to around the mountain to indicate volcanic activity..."
At this point students may brainstorm ideas for posting about potential warning signs (ie. plumes of smoke, rumbles, seismic waves, local trembles, bulges in the mountain, cracks or fissures appearing in the area, sudden absence of wildlife, expulsion of gases,etc.). These signs, which are also good for review of vocabulary, may be posted in the class.
Development:
Once the students have brainstormed and reviewed some of the terms and warning signs they resume the narrative and the following exercise.
"You have just finished speaking with the mayor and he/ she agrees with you that there is an imminent chance of danger. Warnings will be posted on the radio and TV. But there may be some people who do not take these warnings seriously enough. Therefore, you have been asked to prepare a newsletter explaining the signs you have seen and why they indicate potential volcanic activity. Also, you have been asked to list any survival items that may be needed for an evacuation to a shelter in a safe area."
Students will prepare these letters for their fellow neighbours. Should be about one page in length for their first lesson (rough draft), with a separate page containing the survival items list (ie. water, food, shovel, etc.). Letters and terms can be refined during subsequent language arts lessons.
Conclusion:
Continue the narrative by discussing the aftermath of the volcanic eruption.
"Well, thanks to your well-prepared letter all of the townsfolk managed to evacuate the area in time to avoid the eruption. You have been asked once again by the mayor to return to the volcano area when the activity has ceased and conditions are safe again. Describe what sights you might see, and what evidence would be present to show that there was an eruption..."
Extensions:
-have students describe what the area might look like one year, five years, ten years or one hundred years following the eruption (as in the changes that have followed Mt. St. Helen's eruption in 1980)
-use different volcano types for the narrative of this lesson (such as a shield volcano in Hawaii, or a cinder cone in the cascades, or a composite cone in the desert) and evaluate their answers according to the type used in the exercise
-ask the students to prepare pictures, diagrams, or models of the area before and after the eruption to illustrate the potential effects of a devastating eruption
-ask the students to prepare a report detailing the possible consequences of a volcanic eruption for area residents, local wildlife, plantlife and other geologic events
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