miniQUEST
Volcano Discoveries

Outcomes/Indicators/ Introduction/ Task A/ Task B/ Task C/ Conclusion


Essential Understanding:
Some geographic regions are more susceptible to volcanic activity than others.

Outcome:  Students will use research on volcanoes to determine cause and effect and predictability of volcanic eruptions.

Science Indicator: 
Students will explain that Earth’s surface (aquatic and terrestrial) is the result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces (i.e., crustal deformation, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, deposition of sediment, weathering, and erosion).(2.5.6)


Technology Indicators:

     Students will design, develop, publish, and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom.(4.2)
     Students will employ technology tools to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.(5.3)


Introduction: You and your family are moving to Washington State, and you will be living near Mt. St. Helens.  Your grandparents don't feel comfortable with you living close to a recently active volcano.  You decide to research a number of volcanoes in your state, including Mt. St. Helens, to better understand volcanic activity, and to help ease the fears of your grandparents.  Once your research is completed, you will share your findings with your grandparents in the form of a letter.

Task A
Volcanoes!!! 

   Create your own graphic organizer using Kidspiration or Inspiration to organize and record your research on volcanoes.  You may want to use the following questions to guide your research.  You may click on the link or graphic to locate a website that will address the question question.  Reminder:  Once you are on a webpage, click on the "Back" button to get back to this page!

A.  What is a volcano?

B.  Why do volcanoes erupt? 

C.  Where do volcanoes erupt? 
 

D.  How do volcanoes differ from each other?
 

E.  What are some currently active volcanoes? (Where are they located?)

Task B

    Gather information about volcanoes  in the state of Washington. ( Mt. Hood, Mt. Ranier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Lassen Peake) Be sure to include information about Mt. St. Helens. Add to the graphic organizer "Volcano Discoveries".


Task C
 Read about the predictability of volcanoes (Once on this page, under main menu, click on "Volcanoes."  On the next page, look at the left margin. Scroll down, and click on "Prediction of Danger") erupting, and read to find out how scientists can use that knowledge to determine when and where an eruption will occur.

Conclusion
Think about what you have learned about volcanoes, especially the ones located near Washington State.

Now open Student Writing Center, and begin writing a letter to your grandparents to inform them about volcanoes.  Remember to include all of the facts found in your research.



Teacher Note:  Teachers may want to use the following worksheet for note-taking in the One Computer Classroom. (Volcano Discoveries)PDF file

Created by Karen Garczynski and Sharon Bouchard   6/21/00
Updated August 2002
Recommended for Grade 5
Last updated September 2002