This 3-page 4th grade volcano check has three short parts. Students label a cross-section with four numbered lines (magma chamber, conduit, crater and lava) from a word bank, answer five multiple-choice questions with three options each, and write one way scientists help keep people safe. Page 3 is the answer key, with sample safety answers such as watching small earthquakes with seismographs.
“Name the main parts of a volcano on a cross-section.”
Part 1 covers the magma chamber, conduit, crater and lava.
“Recall key volcano facts, including where volcanoes form and what dormant means.”
Multiple-choice questions 2 and 5 cover these, and questions 1, 3 and 4 cover magma, cooled lava and the crater.
“Describe one way scientists keep people safe near volcanoes.”
The short answer accepts monitoring tools, gas measurements or early warnings.
A small cross-section with four numbered pointer lines. Students write magma chamber, conduit, crater or lava beside each number.
Five questions on what melted rock is called underground, where most volcanoes are found, what happens when lava cools, which part is the bowl-shaped opening and what a long-quiet volcano is called. Questions 1 and 2 are on page 1 and 3 to 5 on page 2.
One question: name one way scientists help keep people safe from volcanoes. Three lines for the answer.
The four labels, the five correct choices and sample safety answers, with a note to accept any accurate safety measure.
End-of-unit check
It takes about 15 minutes, so it fits at the end of a lesson. The answer key is one page, which makes marking quick.
Label first
Have students label the diagram before they read the multiple-choice questions. Question 4 names the crater, and it helps if they have already placed it themselves.
Share the safety answers
Read a few short answers aloud and sort them on the board into watching, measuring and warning. Most classes find three or four different ideas.
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