Overview

LETTER TO THE READER
It is becoming increasingly more difficult to compete with the vast amounts of multi-media available today, all vying for the attention of our children. This undertaking becomes even more daunting for teachers of differently challenged students who come to our classrooms with a variety of disabilities. I've filled this unit about volcanoes with exciting hands-on activities and technology in the hopes that my students will become what every teacher strives for; engaged and motivated life-long learners.

RATIONAL

Volcanic eruptions are one of Earth's most dramatic and violent agents of change. Powerful explosive eruptions drastically alter land and water around a volcano, temporarily change our planet's climate, and destroy entire cities and forests. These explosive "mountains" cause both fascination and fear, presenting a perfect opportunity to introduce many skills to fourth through sixth grade students. Standards and benchmarks for science, and social studies will be taught by studying the causes of volcanoes, and the effects they have on the land and the people who live near them. The students will use technology and writing skills to produce a book of volcanic information.

OVERALL GOALS/STANDARDS RELATED TO SOUTH

CAROLINA STANDARDS

Science	The student will use drawings to describe and explain ideas and actions; define constructive forces & how they create landforms; identify the structure and composition of the lithosphere; and recognize how tectonic plate movement produces volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains on the ocean floor.
Reading	The student will read and learn the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases; demonstrate comprehension of a variety of printed materials; and write about what is read.
Research	The student will use information resources to research a topic and communicate the information and finding in written forms.
SocialStudies	The student will define the components of the Earth's physical systems and communicate how physical processes help to shape features and patterns on the Earth's surface.
Technology	The student will use technology and productivity tools to locate, evaluate, and collect information; process data and report results; enhance learning and increase productivity; be proficient in the use of technology; and develop positive attitudes that will support lifelong learning.
Writing	The student will write descriptive paragraphs and short reports; edit final copies for grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and complete sentence; use strategies to plan written products; and use the writing process to record information accurately.

Hardware Requirements

To implement this unit the following hardware will be required:

At least 2 multimedia ready PCs, 600 mhz or higher, with at least a 1 gig hard drive for future expansion and upgrades.

1 color inkjet printer

1 laserdisc player and barcode scanner

1 projector for PC

1 overhead projector

Materials

The following materials will be needed to complete this unit:

crayons	Liquid dish soap
markers	Vinegar
unlined paper	Fine sand
USGS poster VOLCANOES - Mount St. Helens!	Pie pans
	2 erasers with chalk dust
Molasses	calculators

ADAPTATIONS

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Using assistive devices with students who have disabilities is critical if they are to be actively involved in learning and living. A variety of devises and software will be used in the classroom and are listed in the following toolboxes. Managing technology resources is more complicated, but not impossible, with only one computer. It will be necessary to keep a schedule so everyone has the same opportunities to use the computer. It will also help tremendously if a teacher assistant or a parent volunteer could be available to help monitor everyone in the class not working with the computer and teacher. For some lessons, non technology based activities will be worked on while the students are waiting a turn on the computer. At other times, the waiting students will be doing independent work from another subject. The most important factor is to have an organized system.