Notes to the Teacher

Notes to the Teacher

Lesson Title:	Pompeii
Curricular Area:	English Language Arts
Grade Level:	3
Goal/Purpose:	To give students the opportunity to apply and make sense of the myriad of information available regarding Pompeii and volcanoes and to be able to apply this information in their writing and in class discussions.

Learn about volcanoes and what causes them to erupt
Use maps to locate the town of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius
Learn vocabulary: scientist, ancient, mountain, volcano, etc.
Label the parts of a volcano
Understand the differences between mountains and volcanoes

Interdisciplinary Connections: Social Studies, Science, and Writing

Length of Lesson: 2-3 weeks

Materials:

Maps

Dictionaries

Encyclopedias

Graphic organizers

Venn diagram

Computer (internet)

Teacher Resources:

Pompeii…Buried Alive! books

Social Studies book with info. on mountains and volcanoes

Encyclopedia

Dictionaries

Internet websites for Pompeii and volcanoes

Prerequisite Learning: Students need to be comfortable with the following skills or supported throughout the process:

Cooperative learning skills

Note-taking and organizational strategies

Paragraph/essay writing skills

Ability to use Internet resources

Suggestions:

Have the students begin this unit by reading Pompeii…Buried Alive!

Organize the students into pairs choosing students who work well together. Give clear expectations for each pair and individual.

Conduct small group or whole class sessions throughout the project to provide support on various activities.

Check each student’s journal and graphic organizers daily.

Standards: Learning Standards for English Language Arts:
Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

Learning Standards for Science:

Standard 4: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Learning Standards for Social Studies:

Standard 3: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live.

Written by: Jennifer Platania, Reading Teacher at Wayland-Cohocton Elementary School.

Interdisciplinary Connections:	Social Studies, Science, and Writing
Length of Lesson:	2-3 weeks
Materials:	Maps Dictionaries Encyclopedias Graphic organizers Venn diagram Computer (internet)
Teacher Resources:	Pompeii…Buried Alive! books Social Studies book with info. on mountains and volcanoes Encyclopedia Dictionaries Internet websites for Pompeii and volcanoes
Prerequisite Learning:	Students need to be comfortable with the following skills or supported throughout the process: Cooperative learning skills Note-taking and organizational strategies Paragraph/essay writing skills Ability to use Internet resources
Suggestions:	Have the students begin this unit by reading Pompeii…Buried Alive! Organize the students into pairs choosing students who work well together. Give clear expectations for each pair and individual. Conduct small group or whole class sessions throughout the project to provide support on various activities. Check each student’s journal and graphic organizers daily.
Standards:	Learning Standards for English Language Arts: Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. Learning Standards for Science: Standard 4: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. Learning Standards for Social Studies: Standard 3: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live.
Written by:	Jennifer Platania, Reading Teacher at Wayland-Cohocton Elementary School.