Lesson Planning

Learn about the features of volcanoes and their formation. Discover how they are distributed around the world. Create models, artwork, volcano dances, music and David Attenborough style commentaries.
Geography
Enquiry question
What makes volcanoes erupt?
Outcomes
Children will:
Playdough in colours blue, green, brown, yellow, orange, red
Blunt knives
Cocktail sticks and small strips of paper or sticky labels
Weblinks
Drone footage of Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland erupting in 2021
Clip on plate tectonics and creation of volcanoes
Geography
Enquiry question
Where are volcanoes located around the world?
Outcomes
Children will:
Red crayons or pens
Atlases, globes, world maps
Weblinks
Video ‘What are volcanoes and how are they formed?’
News report on the eruption Tonga, Jan 2022 or replace this with information / footage of a recent eruption.
Geography
Art
Enquiry question
How can we show what a volcano is like using art?
Outcomes
Children will:
Plain white tile or thick, white card
Tissue paper in various colours
PVA glue
Black felt tip pen/permanent marker/paint
Weblinks
Photographs of Mount Etna erupting from BBC News or use images of any recent volcanic eruption.
Geography
Music
Enquiry question
How can we use dance, music and words to describe a volcanic eruption?
Outcomes
Children will:
Large sheets of paper to crumple
Musical instruments
Strips of chiffon or other light material in reds, oranges and yellows
A large red/yellow/orange sheet (if possible)
A video camera/mobile phone
Weblinks
David Attenborough commentary on an erupting volcano in Hawaii
Dance group representing volcanoes through dance and music
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