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The Eruptor


  • Grade 2
    Grade 3
    Grade 4
  • Multiple Lesson Periods
  • Directions

    1. During an investigation into rocks and minerals, invite students to research important facts about volcanoes. How do they erupt? What was the biggest eruption ever known? What famous cities have been buried under volcanoes? Students may work in smlal groups as they gather research.
    2. Ask student groups to identify where the volcano nearest their hometown is located. Pinpoint locations of additional volcanoes, active and dormant, on a world map. Why are they often found in clusters? Find photographs of erupting volcanoes. Note that some are islands, while others are located inland.
    3. In preparing to create a model, groups will use cardboard for a base upon which to make their volcanoes. Mold Crayola® Model Magic into a mountain. Remind them to be sure to hollow out the center of the cone for the crater. Volcanoes often blow out one or more sides of the mountain when they erupt!
    4. Demonstrate how students can blend red and black Model Magic to show the hot magma and lava streaming down the volcano. Press Model Magic together to seal seams when joining pieces.
    5. Blend blue and white Model Magic to form tidal waves and water surrounding the volcano. Or create green vegetation such as forests or fields if the volcano is inland.
    6. Wisps of cotton balls can be added to the top of the volcano to resemble steam.
    7. Set aside class time for student groups to present their volcano models and demonstrate how an eruption occurs.
  • Standards

    LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension










  • Adaptations

    Possible classroom resources include: U.S. Landforms (True Books: U.S. Regions) by Dana Reachen Rau; Introducing Landforms (Looking at Earth) by Bobbie Kalman & Kelley MacAuley; Landforms: The Ever-Changing Earth (iScience Readers: Level C) by Emily Sohn & Adam Harter

    Students investigate what the inside of a volcano looks like. Students create a cross-section model using Crayola Model Magic or draw it with markers. Label all significant parts of the volcano.

    Using a classroom bulletin board, students collaborate to create a scene of a volcano, illustrating both the inside and outside. Students label the various parts of the volcano and list vocabulary terms associated with volcanoes.

    On August 26, 1883, Krakatoa erupted in Indonesia. This is currently the biggest volcanic explosion in Earth's history. What happened? What other events resulted from this eruption?


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