Are you ready for a heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled adventure? Look no further than I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980.
This thrilling book takes you on a journey through one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent history. On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, a seemingly dormant volcano in the state of Washington, suddenly erupted. The fury is more than most could have imagined. The explosion unleashed a deadly wave of ash, gas, and molten rock. This devastated everything in its path, leaving a trail of destruction for hundreds of miles.
With vivid descriptions and a gripping narrative, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action as the volcano unleashes its fury. Follow our protagonist, a young boy named David, as he faces unimaginable danger and fights to survive against all odds.
This book is a must-read for anyone who loves tales of survival. Get ready for an unforgettable ride through the ashes and chaos of Mount St. Helens.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980 Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-2
Teaching Idea #1 – Author Video
Have students watch this 2:40-minute video in which Lauren Tarshis visits Mount St. Helens. Beautiful shots of the mountain can be seen.
Teaching Idea #2 – Author Website
Lauren Tarshis’s website offers several free activities to use with the book. Each of these links goes to a pdf file.
ACTIVITIES
TEACHING RESOURCES
Teaching Idea #3 – The Eruption of Mount St. Helens Historical Account
This one-page article about the eruption of Mount St. Helens is an ideal way for students to compare and contrast an actual event to a fictional account. The article comes with comprehension questions.
Teaching Idea #4 – Activities for Students
Map the eruption:
Have students use maps and satellite images to trace the path of the eruption and its effects on the surrounding area. They can also create 3D models of the volcano and its eruption.
Analyze primary sources:
Have students read and analyze primary sources related to the eruption. This can include newspaper articles, photographs, and first-hand accounts. They can use these sources to create a timeline of events and write short summaries of what they learned.
Create a news report:
Have students work in groups to create a news report about the eruption. They can research the facts and use them to write a script, film the report, and present it to the class.
Teaching Idea #5 – Learning about Volcanos
Download the free foldable organizer for students to complete as they learn about volcanoes. Students answer five questions as they complete the organizer.
- Describe how volcanic eruptions are measured.
- Where are volcanoes likely to be found?
- What happens when volcanic eruptions take place?
- Describe each type of volcano listed – shield, lava dome, composite, cinder cones.
- What are active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes?
An answer key is provided.
The USGS website provides a number of pages for student research. This page gives information on five volcanoes in the Cascade Range for students to compare and contrast. Have students answer these questions:
- Which volcano is the highest in elevation?
- Order the volcanoes based on when they last erupted from least to most recent.
- What type of eruption did each volcano have? How do scientists know this?
- What do you notice about the location of these volcanoes? Why are they arranged in this manner?
Lauren Tarshis reads the article from Storyworks Jr.: Mountain of Fire.
See the product that inspired this post.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980 Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
