VOLCANOES
A CBI Thematic Unit for Second Grade
Lesson Outline
Mary Webster Gough
English 436
Fall, 1994
Lesson 1: TOPIC DETECTIVES
Subjects: Language Arts
Topic: Volcano vocabulary
Summary: For a week prior to the unit, each small group will research the definitions of its list of vocabulary words in order to "detect" the "topic" of the upcoming unit. On the last day of the lesson, the whole class brainstorms what the topic will be,
then is given the weekend assignment of asking friends and relatives about volcanoes. Develops: knowledge, collaboration, dictionary usage skills, competence in convergent thinking, family involvement. Provides an advance organizer and head start for stu
dents needing them.
Lesson 2: WHAT I KNOW AND WANT TO KNOW ABOUT VOLCANOES
Subjects: Language Arts, Science
Topic: Prior knowledge of volcanoes
Summary: First in small groups, then whole-class, generate a chart of what students already know (or think they know) and what they want to find out about volcanoes. Develops: teamwork, brainstorming, self-esteem, curiosity. Enables teacher to assess prio
r knowledge and "student interest.
Lesson 3: THE EARTH
Subjects: Language Arts, Science, Fine Arts
Topic: The composition of the Earth
Summary: Student" are introduced to the different layers of the earth by being read How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World (Faith McNulty) and completing diagrams. Student" then write and illustrate their own versions of
this book. Develops: listening and psychomotor skills, literature appreciation, writing and artistic creativity, pride in one's work.
Lesson 4: PANGAEA PUZZLE
Subjects: Science
Topic: Continental Drift
Summary: Students learn how continents drift by fitting continental puzzle pieces into the ancient supercontinent of "Pangaea," moving them into their current placement-, and predicting where they will move in the future. Builds on composition of the Eart
h (prior lesson and lays groundwork for plate tectonics
(next lesson) Develops: historical perspective of continental drift map and prediction skills.
Lesson 5: HOW VOLCANOES FORM
Subjects: Science, Language Arts Math, Fine Arts
Topic: Plate tectonics; volcano formation
Summary: Through pictures, diagrams, experiments, graphs, realia, video (Understanding Volcanoes) and literature (From Inside Our Mountain, Eileen Media), students learn how the movement of plates affects the formation of volcanoes, and how volca
noes' fumaroles and geysers form. Much repetition of vocabulary and concepts - learned in prior lessons Develops: knowledge of geography and geology, multiculturalism, collaboration and small-group peer support.
Lesson 6: MOUNT VESUVIUS
Subjects: Language Arts? Science, Social Studies
Topic: Mount Vesuvius; Pompeii
Summary: The concepts-taught thus far are brought to life by an in-depth study of the eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius (the mythology of Vulcan, the eruptions of the volcano, and the excavation of Pompeii) through stories, pictures, maps, and video. A time line
and altitude graph (to be used in subsequent lessons) are introduced to plot the life cycle of volcanoes over the ages and their altitudes, respectively. Develops: scientific, geographic and archeological knowledge; self- esteem; teamwork; critical thinki
ng skills
Lesson 7: MOUNT ST. HELENS
Subjects: Science, Math, Language Arts, Fine Arts
Topic: Mount St. Helens
Summary: An in-depth study of Mount St. Helens brings volcanoes to the here-and-now and our own neighborhood. Revisit' plate tectonics of the Pacific Northwest, and introduces Native American legend of the volcano. Students plot eruptions and altit
ude on graphs, put eruption and ash cloud photos in sequential order, complete a color-coded map of the eruption aftermath, and generate a pie-chart of animal deaths. Recovery of the devastated area is studied. Students write and illustrate
their own volcano stories ("There's a Volcano Growing in My Backyard", own myth or legend, what to do if a volcano erupts). Develops: collaboration and critical thinking skills, graphing and mapping competence, literature appreciation, writing and artisti
c creativity, appreciation of own and others work.
Lesson 8: "MY VOLCANO IS . "
Subjects: Language Arts, Science, Fine Arts
Topic: Research report on a chosen volcano
Summary: After brainstorming and listing the issues the teacher covered in the lessons on Mts. Vesuvius and St. Helens (name, type, myth/legend, location, eruption dates, people involved, effects, recovery), small-group teams select a volcano to research
and present to the class. Research reading can be facilitated by cross-age tutors and adult volunteers. Pictures, maps, diagrams, demonstrations, performances are encouraged; each team member must contribute. Develops collaboration; research, writing and
oral presentation skills; multiculturalism, confidence and self-esteem; appreciation of own and others~ work.
Lesson 9: VOLCANO SONG
Subjects: Science, Fine Arts
Topic: Music
Summary: Students rehearse volcano vocabulary and concepts
by
learning, singing and acting out a volcano song.
Song
is taught whole-class, and can be practiced
individually at the listening center. Develops:
musical ability, memory, additional familiarity
with
volcano vocabulary and concepts.
Lesson 10: "WHAT A MESS!
Subjects: Physical Education, Science, Math
Topic: Cleaning up a volcano's ashfall
Summary: Students get a hands-on experience of volcanic disruption by having to clean up "ash" (packing popcorn). Each color popcorn carries a different point value (1, 2, 5, 10) , and the goal of the game is for a team to collect the largest number of po
ints in a given timeframe. Develops: teamwork, strategic planning, manual dexterity, counting and adding skills.
Lesson 11-A: CLIMBING VOLCANOES
Subjects: Language Arts, Science
Topic: Crossword puzzle of volcano vocabulary
Summary: Working in pairs, student read, research (as necessary) and complete puzzle. Reinforces vocabulary, and provides peer support.
Lesson 11-B:: CLIMBING VOLCANOES
Subjects: Math, Language Arts
Topic: Addition and subtraction
Summary: Each student fills in the answers on a volcano crossnumber puzzle. Then, with the help of a partner, create" word and/or numeral problem clues to those answers (the number of word problems is determined by each student's writing cap
ability). Partners check each other'" work before turning in to teacher, teacher copoies students' work and distributes among classmates as future math lessons Develops: addition/subtraction skills, writing competence, self-esteem.
Lesson 12: BUILDING A VOLCANO
Subjects: Science, Fine Arts, Math
Topic: Building a working model of a volcano
Summary: Using knowledge gained about volcanoes, each student builds and decorates a papier mache model of a volcano (can be the one chosen for research or a different one). Before the "eruption?" student must tell about his/her volcano. Each student meas
ures the baking soda, food coloring and vinegar to create an "eruption." Develops: scientific knowledge, artistic creativity, psychomotor skills, measuring capability, speaking confidence.