What is a Volcano: Lesson and Printables
The What Is a Volcano? lesson and activities included are fun and engaging. They help students understand how volcanoes form and work. Designed with 6th graders in mind, it can easily be adapted for students in grades 4 through 7. The interactive slideshow serves as a science reader, walking students through the key ideas before they jump into the activities. You’ll also find an informational article with multiple-choice questions, guided notes to support learning, and a volcano labeling diagram pack. Whether you use everything or just a few pieces, this flexible unit makes it easy to bring science to life. This page is part of a larger Volcano Unit Study that also includes the 3 Main Types of Volcanoes and Volcanic Stages and Eruptions.
Be sure to explore our other free science curriculum, including unit studies, labs, and experiments. Since you are studying volcanoes, Plate tectonics, and Ocean Features may be on your radar.
As a Christian Book and Amazon affiliate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. As always, we only recommend items that we truly feel will benefit your homeschooling experience. We appreciate it.
What is a Volcano? Slideshow
This slideshow answers your most basic questions about volcanoes. Your student will learn what a volcano is and how it forms. It will address the causes of these natural wonders and the parts within these huge fire-breathing mountains. Students will discover the difference between magma and lava. They will also learn about the different land features created by volcanoes.
Be sure to use the guided notes and diagram below with the Volcanoes slideshow.
These Guided Notes and Comprehension Questions are meant to be used with the educational slideshow above. These scaffolding notes guide your student through the learned material. Guided notes help students to shorten information into smaller bits. The notes are also a means for students to work with the terminology and new vocabulary in yet another way.
For older students, you may prefer to assign the Comprehension Questions instead. These also go along with the slideshow, but require more of the students. Short answer questions take the place of fill-in-the-blanks. Take a look at both to see which one works better for your student.
Volcano Articles with Multiple Choice Questions
This download offers two articles, each with 10 multiple-choice questions. Reading passages with comprehension questions like these are an excellent addition to any unit study. Older students should be able to read the articles on their own and then answer the questions independently. This can also be assigned as a group activity. The first article is an overview of “What is a Volcano?” Then, the second article is about the “Parts of a Volcano.” For the teacher, answer keys are provided.
Parts of a Volcano Labeling Diagram
These Free Parts of a Volcano Labeling Diagrams make learning about the parts of a volcano easier! When using the slideshow provided above, teachers and students can check their learning against the slides at the end of the presentation.
A volcano is an opening in Earth’s crust where melted rock, gas, and ash can escape to the surface. Deep underground, hot melted rock called magma collects in a magma chamber. As pressure builds, the magma moves upward through a pipe and out of the vent. Some volcanoes also have a side vent, where lava and gases can escape from the side of the mountain. When magma reaches the surface, it is called lava, and it flows down the volcano as lava flow. Over time, eruptions leave behind layers of ash and lava, which build up the volcano’s shape. Use these two free volcano labeling diagrams to learn the important parts of a volcano, with word banks, definitions, and a teacher key.
Add an Educational Videos...
My kids know that educational videos are just one teaching tool that I use to pull our learning together. So, no matter what we are studying, I always look to see if there is a short video that can be added to our unit study. There are several videos to choose from, but this one explains how volcanoes work and then some. It does go beyond its parts, but it is visually appealing and engaging. Pick one that works for your needs.
Add some Educational Books...
It doesn’t matter what topic you are studying, adding visually appealing books is always a winning addition. It isn’t necessary to buy a new book for every unit study. Truthfully, this is where you neighborhood library comes in handy or even your local thrift book store. If you are looking for ways to build your own homeschool library, you should read more here.
check out these other free science units!
