Writing+Activities

__**Content Area: Volcanoes**__

__Narrative Writing Project __: Take a time capsule back in your mind to the spring of 1980. Now, imagine you were there when Mount St. Helens erupted in the state of Washington. Write a story telling what you were doing, what you saw, how it affected your town, and any other details we need to know to understand what you experienced on that day and the days after.

__Expository/Informational Writing Project __: Create a news article for a local paper on Vulcan Island (in Europe) to run warning the islands’ occupants of what to expect from a volcano named Mount Etna that scientists believe will erupt very soon. Refer to the //Volcanoes! National Geographic Kids// book for more information or research the volcano to get more information. Explain why the volcano is going to erupt and what safety pre-cautions the occupants should take before the big eruption!

__Persuasive Writing Project __: Create a RAFTS writing from the perspective of a volcano expert aiming to sway a group of scientists not to take volcanoes off the list of natural disasters. They believe volcanoes only cause a little bit of damage and do not realize how much destruction one can actually cause. It is your job to persuade them that volcanoes should be included in the list of natural disasters so people are properly informed!  Role: Volcano Expert  Audience: A group of scientists  Format: Top five “lookouts” (top five reasons why volcanoes should stay on the list  of natural disasters)  Topic: How disastrous a volcano is.  Strong Verb: Sway

__*** EXTRA SCIENCE WRITING ACTIVITY ***__: //RAFT & RAFTS for Classifying Organisms//

__RAFT__: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">ROLE: An unclassified animal (create one!) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">AUDIENCE: A group of scientists. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">FOCUS: You must give evidence to a group of scientist so they can classify you in one of the levels in the classification system. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">TOPIC: Classifying Animals

__RAFTS__: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">ROLE: Choose either a Reptile, Mammal, Amphibian, Bird, or Fish. Choose one specific animal in the category. (Ex. Mammal – Bear) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">AUDIENCE: Group of classification experts <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">FOCUS: You must convince a group of classification experts why you, a bear (or whatever animal you choose), must stay classified as a Mammal or the specific classification of your animal. Provide evidence and a convincing argument to keep them from changing the list! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">TOPIC: Classifying Animals <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">STRONG VERB: Convince