Shake and Erupt: Volcanoes and Earthquakes

About This Resource

A complete Grade 4 science pack on volcanoes and earthquakes: Earth's moving plates, parts of a volcano, magma and lava, active, dormant and extinct volcanoes, what causes earthquakes, the Ring of Fire and earthquake safety with Drop, Cover and Hold On. Includes a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, A5 flashcards, a rubric, detailed slides with speaker notes, Word files and answer keys.

Overview

Students learn that Earth's outer layer, the crust, is broken into giant pieces called plates that move very slowly. When plates suddenly slip, the ground shakes in an earthquake. Where melted rock called magma rises through the crust, a volcano can form and erupt lava, ash and gas. Students label a volcano, sort volcanoes as active, dormant or extinct, find out why so many volcanoes and earthquakes happen around the Pacific Ocean, and practise Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Resource Details

Subject: Science
Topic: Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Category: Earth & Space
File Type: PDF
File Size: 374.3 KB
Published: 30 Oct 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 4 (ages 9–10) 50 minutes Earth science labeling sequencing explaining safety

Learning Objectives

Explain that Earth's crust is made of moving plates and that earthquakes happen when plates slip.
Label the main parts of a volcano and explain the difference between magma and lava.
Describe how to stay safe in an earthquake.

How to Use This Resource

Show a cracked hard-boiled egg as a model of Earth's crust broken into plates.
Teach the key ideas with the slides, then use worksheet activities 1 to 6.
Practise Drop, Cover and Hold On, use the quiz to check learning and send the safety plan homework home.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Cracker plates: push two graham crackers together on frosting to model plates colliding and sliding.
Baking soda volcano: model an eruption with baking soda, vinegar and a little dish soap (adult supervision).
Earthquake drill: practise Drop, Cover and Hold On under desks.

Differentiation

Support: use the labeled diagram slide and a word bank. Challenge: research one famous volcano and present three facts.

Assessment

Worksheet activities 1 to 5 and the quiz check vocabulary, causes and safety. Use the rubric for the labeled volcano in activity 6.

Teacher Tips

Some students may feel worried about natural disasters. Focus on how scientists study them and how people stay safe.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (7 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (4 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 7 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)