Eventually, these reservoirs erupt and produce lava, ash, bombs, and various other materials known as pyroclastics. The accumulation of these materials form the volcano we see as a mountain. Shield volcanoes are non-explosive volcanoes with gentle slopes in the form of a cone. When these volcanoes erupt, lava gently pours down the sides of the volcano and onto the land. The slow moving lava eventually will harden and this is what causes the gentle slopes.
Most shield volcanoes occur in the ocean.
For example, Kilauea and Mauna Loa are both volcanoes on the island of Hawaii. After the unit plan on volcanoes has been completed, student should be able to tell the difference between lava and magma. Have the students each make up their own stories about a trip they took to Hawaii. In detail, they should describe one or two of the volcanoes they encountered and to give that volcano a name. The students should also be familiar with a couple different types of rocks associated with volcanoes.