Welcome to the Holy Smokes! web curriculum. This curriculum is designed around three missions. Each mission focuses on one particular volcano type. The three types of volcanoes which they will be researching are composite volcanoes (also known as stratovolcanoes), cinder cone volcanoes, and shield volcanoes. At the end of this curriculum, students should be able to not only identify a volcano but also understand how the eruption and explosiveness of a volcano is dependent on its shape and type.
The curriculum web is designed to help middle school students understand both the mechanics of a volcano and the hazards associated with them.
The Geological Society of America states that teaching earth science is an excellent way to introduce students to science. In fact, they believe that at a middle school level that learning the structure of the Earth is vital to a middle school student’s education as well as increasing their science literacy. Additionally the National Science Teacher’s Association recommends teaching Earth Structure as a part of the middle school curriculum. Furthermore, the National Geographic Society believes that by understanding the processes that shape the Earth’s surface we can then begin to understand how the society interacts with them. Volcanoes are a vital part of the Earth’s geologic system. By understanding why they happen, where they happen and the impact they have on their surroundings can students begin to understand the geologic processes which shape our Earth.
This web is intended for seventh grade students in Arizona in a regular education science class.
Objectives & Outcomes
1. Students will understand that plate tectonics is a process which shapes the earth’s surface.
2. Students will understand that volcano location is directly related to plate tectonics.
3. Students will understand the different types of volcanoes and how their composition affects both shape and eruption.
4. Students will understand that volcanic hazards differ based on volcano type.
5. Students will understand the impact that volcanoes have on the environment socially, environmentally and geologically.
Prerequisite Skills & Knowledge
Before using the Holy Smokes Volcano curriculum, the students should be able to
Read at a seventh grade level.
Use a web browser.
Know how to use a search engine.
Know how to cut & paste from web pages into another document.
Know how to use PowerPoint, MS Word, and MS publisher.
Have ability to work in cooperative groups.
Be able to appropriately cite materials.
Students will solve three missions, each one focusing on a specific volcano type.
Create a travel booklet for budding geologists about the Ring of Fire and the Hawaiian Islands formation and their volcanoes
Volcano Focus: Shield
Write a news report in which you interview a resident of Paricutín, Mexico describing the birth of a volcano
Volcano Focus: Cinder
Create a brochure for the National Geologic Service for residents of Washington and Oregon on the dangers of volcanoes
Volcano Focus: Composite/Stratovolcano
Introduction ● AIM ● Rationale ● Learners ● Goals and Objectives ● Prerequisites ● Rubrics Teacher Resources ● Missions ● Home
Holy Smokes! Curriculum Web
Created by Geneva Baker Last updated May 11, 2006