Introduction to volcanoes

General

Volcanoes are both awe-inspiring and mysterious. How does a volcano form and what impact does it have on the environment?

This lesson explores the different layers of the Earth to explain how volcanoes are formed and the function they serve. This includes a brief discussion of tectonic plates and how they shift.

Common core standard(s)

4-ESS1-1: Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time

Introduction

To hint at the way volcanoes are formed, the introduction asks students to consider what happens when you shake a can of soda and then open it.

Guided practice

Is it true we live on the Earth's mantle? What's at the center of the Earth? What is it called when tectonic plates move suddenly?

Closing

The last slide asks students to label the major parts of a volcano. Consider asking a student to volunteer to come up to the Interactive Whiteboard to do this!