Lesson Plan

Topic: Volcanic Eruptions

Do now: What is viscosity? Do you think that gases would be more easily trapped in high
viscosity liquids or lower viscosity liquids? Why?
Aim: What are two types of volcanic eruptions and what are the differences?
Standards:
S4A- Demonstrates an understanding of big idea and unifying concepts.
S5F- Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.
2.1l- Earthquakes and volcanoes present geologic hazards to humans. Loss of property,
personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness
Performance objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Identify an explosive volcanic eruption and a effusive eruption by creating a model of
both types of eruptions.
2. Analyze the factors that influence different eruption types by answering the questions
on the worksheet that is provided.
Academic Language:
fissures - a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock

or earth. They allow for the escape of gases and magma from the Earths interior which contributes to
effusive eruptions.

effusive eruption - type of volcanic eruption in which lava steadily flows out of a volcano onto
the ground. It is a gradual and relatively calm compared to the explosive eruption.
explosive eruption - a violent and sudden explosion that sends ash, gas and magma high up
into the atmosphere. This type of eruption occurs when there is very viscous magma that
contains trapped gases and one central vent that does not allow for the escape of gases,
magma or the release of pressure.
Language Function: Analyze, Identify, Observations, Record
Misconceptions: Common misconceptions about volcanoes are that they all are explosive and
shoot magma out in an explosive way but some are effusive and the lava is able to steadily flow
down the sides of the volcano. Students also do not realize that the trapped gases in the
magma contribute to the type of eruption that occurs. Students think that all volcanoes are
shaped like cones when in fact volcanoes are actually shaped differently, each posing different
types of eruptions.
Discourse: Students should understand that the viscosity of the magma, coupled with the type
of opening that a volcano possesses are some of the factors that contribute to the
explosiveness of the volcano. More viscous magma traps gases and does not allow them to
escape making the eruption more violent. Fissures allow for the escape of gases and release of
pressure from the magma chamber so the type of eruption that follows is less violent and
classified as effusive.
Syntax: No rules of syntax associated with this lesson.
Materials List:
1. Plastic Film Canisters - 4 per group
2. Baking Soda
3. Vinegar with red dye
4. Spoons
5. 50-mL Graduated Cylinder - 1 per group
6. Paper Towels

7. Aluminum Foil Pans

Safety and Disposal:
Students should wear and keep goggles on at ALL times. The caps of the film canisters fly off
due to the chemical reaction that occurs inside them. Students can dispose of vinegar and
baking soda in the sink.
Anticipatory Opening: A video is played that utilizes a soda bottle and balloon to show how
gases that are trapped are under pressure and how they escape when the pressure is released.
Development of the Lesson:
What the teacher does

What the students do

Divide class into groups based off #of students in

class.

Students get into groups.

Put up Do now, Aim and HW

Do Now: What is viscosity? Do you think that
gases would be more easily trapped in high
viscosity liquids or lower viscosity liquids? Why?
Aim:What are some factors that determine the
explosiveness of volcanic eruptions?
HW: Research three volcanic eruptions that have
occurred in the past five years. Compare each
eruption to one of the eruption styles you
modeled in this lab. Communicate to your class
what you learn.
Go over the answers to the Do Now

Students start Do now

Soda bottle demonstration video

Questions: -What do the bubbles represent?

Students will watch the video and answer

questions provided by the teacher

Model the procedure for the experiment. Assigns

roles for the activity.

Students are in their groups and will be provided

with an activity sheet as well as a procedure
sheet.

Hand out activity sheet for experiment.

Procedure will be visible in front of the classroom
for students to follow.
Question: What do you predict will happen
during the experiment? Pick on a few students to
read their predictions.
Collect and input the observations of the
students into a table that is displayed on the
Smartboard.
Ask the students to give their answers to the
questions on the worksheet.
Questions: How does the canister top play a role
in the explosiveness of the eruption?

Students will provide answer to the Do Now

Students pick their roles in their groups.

Students will write down what they predict will
happen and read what they wrote.
Students perform the activity.
Recorders come up and give their results to the
teacher.
Observations are read out loud by the presenter.
Students read their answers to the questions on
the worksheet out loud.
The activity and the worksheet allow the
students to see that there are two types of
volcanic eruptions and the types are dependent
on the initial conditions at the time of the
eruption.

Questions: What are the factors that play a role

in the type of eruptions they witnessed in the
activity?

-The cap being loosely capped allows for the

escape of gases and liquid so that an effusive
eruption occurs. When the cap was placed on
tightly there was a buildup of pressure and an
explosive eruption occurred.

Develop the vocabulary: fissure, effusive

eruption, explosive eruption

Students write the vocabulary on the sheet

provided.

Summative Assessment: kahoot.it

Students will play a team game with their groups.

Team with the most points at the end of the
game will win the game and be rewarded with a
prize

Differentiated Instructions: N/A

Summative Assessment:
Students will log into a website (Kahoot.it) in which they will be given a pin, making this game
private. Students will create team names and can even give themselves nicknames (will have to
be kept PG or face the consequences of being kicked) which will appear in the front of the
room. Students will answer questions as a team since each correct answer will award them
points. At the end of the game, the winning team (the one with the most points) will be
rewarded with a Free Homework Pass.
Homework: Research three volcanic eruptions that have occurred in the past five years.
Compare each eruption to one of the eruption styles you modeled in this lab. Communicate to
your class what you learn.
Notes for Revision: N/A