DIY Summer Activities, Backyard Volcano

In this DIY Summer Activities, Backyard Volcano lesson plan you are going to get a great idea of how studies created for combined grade levels plays out in real life (if you didn’t know already) because I’ve created this lesson for preschool through elementary ages. You can adapt this to your child’s level/or levels if you have more than one like I do.

This lesson will also give you an idea why if you were to ask our kids (and many homeschoolers) what grade they are in you are likely to get a blank stare, or else a response that makes no sense to you (as in the 6 year old saying “I’M IN SEVENTH GRADE” and the middle schooler turning to their mom and saying “Uh, mom, what grade am I in?” lol! (If you are still tripping over grade levels READ THIS ARTICLE).

Before the Demonstration
A few days before this demonstration I began gathering supplies and making preparations. Here are the items you’ll need;

• construction paper (optional)
• glue (optional)
• approx. 6×6 pieces of cardboard, one for each child (we used this to mount the water bottle/volcano’s on
• homemade playdough-you could use clay if you prefer-you’ll need a substantial amount-this is for the volcanic mountain
• 8oz water bottle/s -one for each child
• vinegar
• baking soda
• red food coloring

You’ll also want to make your volcano’s before this demonstration-we made ours a week in advance to give them time to dry but you could make them the day of. These are so easy. Using play-dough, simply have the kids mold mountains around water bottles! We used 8 ounce water bottles.

Optional-Vocabulary Portion of the Lesson
Really, this part is entirely optional! If you want to drive this lesson home in typical homeschool mom style, this portion of the lesson can help you do that.

We started this portion of the lesson the day before the demonstration. You could always do this part after if you like though.

Below are the vocabulary words we used. I included the molecular formulas simply to introduce the kids to the concept of molecular formulas and to give the kids a visual of what they look like.

• chemistry– the science that investigates the parts and (ingredients) of substances and matter
• react-to act in response to something (or in this case ingredient)
• sodium bicarbonate– monosodium salt of carbonic acid, NaHCO₃
• acetic acid-a compound or liquid, usually sour, containing hydrogen
  C₂H₄O₂
• carbon dioxide-odorless, colorless gas, CO₂ 

I put the vocabulary words on flashcards. You can have the kids copy these out for their notebooks, and/or just memorize them and repeat them to you orally-I’ll use a combo since I’m teaching to various grades.

Below I had the older kids copy the flashcards onto paper for their notebooks.

Script for demonstration
I’ve created a pdf lesson for you to print and read to your kids before the demonstration. If you download it, would you pretty please be a doll and subscribe to my emails as a “thank you” for creating this lesson? You can subscribe at the end of this post (scroll down).

Recipe for Volcano
Here’s the recipe we used-this isn’t rocket science so you don’t have to get it exact!

• 2 to 3 Tablespoons baking soda (added in the kitchen)
• 3 cups vinegar with 4 drops red food coloring added

Carry out demonstration
As you and your child are carrying out the demonstration, explain that the bicarbonate in the soda and acetic acid (vinegar) are reacting together and creating carbon dioxide which makes the bubbles.

After the Demonstration, For the Notebooks…
Again, this is another optional part.

For the youngest student’s I let them choose whether to create pictures with construction paper or draw pictures.

I also had them give their best oral explanations of the demonstration.

If you like, you can write down their words (this is a little trick I picked up from the Weaver curriculum that not only proves very sweet but teaches children that their words mean something and can be translated onto paper).

For elementary and middle school children you can have them write a few sentences or a report for their notebooks (depending on their abilities).

To Enhance This Lesson
To enhance lessons we love videos and documentaries! I’ve found some videos on this topic and included them below.

For the elementary kids;

For the older kids;

Hey! Are you planning your next homeschool year or next semester? Be sure to read my post 25 Tips For How To Plan A Homeschool Year. And are you going to be schooling with a new baby or toddler? Be sure to read my post, How To Homeschool With A Baby

View all my HOMESCHOOLING POSTS HERE.

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