Free Volcanoes Unit Study! Kids are naturally fascinated by volcanoes. While erupting a homemade volcano is always fun, real learning happens when students understand why volcanoes form and how they work. This Free Volcanoes Unit Study teaches essential concepts, including how volcanoes form, the parts of a volcano, the different types of volcanoes, and other volcano-related topics.
Created for middle school students, many of the resources work well for upper elementary learners, too. My oldest is in 4th grade, and we’ve successfully used several activities. 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.
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Our Free Volcanoes Unit Study includes three engaging slide shows along with a wide variety of printables, activities, and videos—which can make it tricky to know where to begin. To help, we’ve organized the slide shows and activities in the order we would personally use them. That said, you don’t need to complete every activity to create a thorough and meaningful volcano study. Think of the slide shows as science readers: they introduce the core concepts students need before diving into the hands-on work. We also encourage supplementing with additional science books and resources for a well-rounded learning experience. The Free Volcanoes Unit Study is organized into three clear sections to make planning easy and flexible.
The last time I studied volcanoes with my students, I read I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, 79 A.D. aloud to them. It was a fantastic read and gave my students a powerful, new perspective on the dangers of volcanoes. Another engaging option that also provides a wealth of educational information is Pompeii Buried Alive.
The first section in our Free Volcano Unit Study, What is a Volcano: Lesson and Printables, focuses on what a volcano is, how they form, and its different parts. Our “What is a Volcano” post includes a slideshow, guided notes, comprehension questions, articles with multiple choice questions, and more! One of our favorite downloads is our FREE Labeling Volcano Diagrams! Read more about how we introduce volcanoes within the Volcanoes Unit Study.
This slideshow features the 3 types of volcanoes: composite, shield, and cinder cone. Each of the volcanoes are described with examples provided. The Types of Volcanoes Table is reviewed for student comprehension. A copy of the table can be downloaded below!
The Types of Volcano Table is effective at comparing the 3 different types of volcanoes. Use the Types of Volcanoes slideshow to help you complete the table. The table requires the student to describe, give examples, and draw a model of each type of volcano.
This slideshow focuses on the three stages of a volcanic life: active, dormant, and extinct. The educational presentation briefly hits on the why behind explosive versus quiet eruptions. Note: Point out to your student that composite, or a stratovolcano, will erupt violently while a shield volcano’s eruption, while dangerous, has a quieter eruption.
This set of questions was created years ago as a study guide for middle school students. It would also make an appropriate comprehension guide for those students at home looking to review the covered volcano information. These questions would make a great discussion topic.
The Volcano Research & Writing Project is an effective way for students to learn about volcanoes on a deeper level. There are two research sheet options along with two different levels of writing sheets. Depending on the age and ability of your student, pick the graphic organizer that is more appropriate for your student. Give students a short list of the most popular or destructive volcanoes to choose from for their research. Some desirable ones include Stromboli, Mt. Etna, Mt. Saint Helens, and Moana Loa.
This free resource by 3D Geography combines the exploration of volcanoes with geography skills. The more you can combine subjects, the better. Pretty cool resource. Get your own copy here!
Most of us know how to implement the Easy Volcano Lab. The ingredients list is fairly simple: small plastic water bottle, vinegar, dish soap, baking soda, funnel, food coloring, and play-doh/clay/mud. Years ago, my boys and I used a painted piece of plywood as a base with army men, animals, and trees adorning it. In the center of our jungle, we secured an empty water bottle with play-doh molded around it to create a volcano mountain. It looked like a composite volcano in shape. We were all so proud of our model. Now it was time to emulate a volcano eruption! Watch the video below to see the procedure of the experiment. Depending on the size of your bottle, you may need to experiment with the ratio. Fun! The cool thing is that you can run the eruption multiple times watching your pretend lava spew out all over your jungle!
This video is a great example of how you could create your homemade volcano eruption. However you make your model, have fun!
Videos are always a nice addition to any science unit. Many science topics can benefit from realistic visuals. Use the video links below to add another layer of learning to your free Volcanoes unit. Watch the videos with your kids to actively debunk the millions of years of statements that support the theory of evolution and not God’s creation.
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