Volcanoes and their features
I can recognise the key features of a volcano and can use geographical vocabulary to name and explain them.
Volcanoes and their features
I can recognise the key features of a volcano and can use geographical vocabulary to name and explain them.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A volcano is a crack in Earth's crust from which lava is emitted.
- Volcanoes are formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates.
- Volcanoes take different forms.
- Composite volcanoes share a common structure.
Keywords
Erupt - To erupt is to suddenly burst or break open and emit something.
Distribution - Distribution is how something is spread out across a geographic area.
Magma - Magma is molten or semi-molten rock underground.
Lava - Lava is molten rock that has broken through Earth’s surface. When it is still below the surface it is known as magma.
Common misconception
Pupils will often say volcanoes 'explode' rather than erupt.
Ensure that as 'good geographers' correct vocabulary for features and processes is always used and that pupils appreciate why.
To help you plan your year 4 geography lesson on: Volcanoes and their features, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 geography lesson on: Volcanoes and their features, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the Mountains and volcanoes: what, where and why? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions

