Starting Volcanoes

We've begun our new unit study.  Volcanoes! 

I laminated our vocabulary words and definitions, then used velcro dots to make a fun game.  It's working!  The kids are learning the terms and are constantly asking to play with the cards.

We've learned the layers of the earth using books, diagrams, drawings, and food.  Oh yes, food.  We showed the layers by cutting in half hard-cooked eggs and chocolate-covered cherries. 

Inner Core - Cherry
Outer Layer - Creme
Mantle - Syrup
Crust - Chocolate

We do enjoy delicious learning.  And speaking of which...

We went to a friend's house last week to do a few volcano experiments.  Tami volunteered to let us throw popcorn all over her house.  We used an air popper to show how a cindercone volcano is formed (bits of rock exploding out and adding to the pile).

We used a bottle of soda to show how gas builds up pressure and causes an eruption.  (No photos of that one, as I was holding the foaming soda bottle and trying not to get drenched!)  Then we came back inside and lit her kitchen on fire.  Um... I mean... did another experiment.

This was was a little bit of a flop.  They ended up getting the same idea as the first popcorn experiment, but according to the book, the popcorn was supposed to pile up into a volcano shape as it was cooked in hot oil.  Instead it bounced out of the pan, caught on fire and drove my son to stand on the corner of her kitchen counters, SCREAMING! 

(No children were harmed in the making of this learning experience.  At least not physically.)

Comments

[Syndi]

I always read your blog and think why didn't I think of that?!! Amazing. I especially love the chocolate covered cherry "volcanos" and what a good sport Tami is!