Volcano Activity Learning Groups

Grading
Dimension

Needs
Improveme
nt

Below
Average

Average

Above
Average

Excellent

Research

Little effort
made to
research topic:
Inaccurate
findings
Poster and
report do not
correctly
reflect basic
facts

Some effort
made to find
and use
accurate data

Adequate
effort made
for
researching
the topic
Poster and
report
correctly
represent
basic facts

Excellent research
with all data
accurate and
complete

Complete

Elements of
report and
poster missing

Occasional
omissions
from report
and/or poster

Report and
poster
completed as
required

Presentatio
n

Poor, difficult
to read poster
and/or report,
elements
missing

Somewhat
difficult to
read poster
and/or report
but mostly
correct

Acceptable
presentation
on poster and
report

Good effort
made to
research and
find accurate
data
Items in
poster and
report
accurate with
some
additional
information
provided
Report and
poster
included some
information
beyond
requirements
Poster and
report are
clear and
correct with
some extras

Accuracy

Poster and
report have
some factual
inaccuracies

Basic and extended

facts in poster and
report are
completely
accurate as to
detail

Report and poster

include extended
information

Clear, correct
poster and report
with extended
elements

1. For this activity, you will work in a group of up to four students. Each group will
create a poster showing the parts of a volcano. When you have completed all of
the steps below, use the attached rubric to self-assess your groups work.

Volcano Vocabulary Words

Magma
Vent
Base

Crater
Ash
Flank

Conduit
Lava
Summit

2. Use Encarta or the Internet to discover what each of your volcano vocabulary
words means and where on a volcano they are located.

3. Using a sheet of poster board and class art supplies, draw a volcano and clearly
label each part. You may also use any art materials to add interest to your poster.
4. Create a one-page report using Word and your volcano vocabulary that explains
what happens when a volcano erupts.
5. Turn in your research, poster and report at the Science Center when you are

done.