Introduction
Dante’s Peak is a small town in the north west of the United States, situated on the side of a volcano that has been inactive for thousands of years. When the mountain starts showing signs of activity, Harry Dalton, an expert on volcanoes, is sent to investigate the movement. Harry finds a volcano which he believes is going to erupt in a very short time, but he finds that no one in the town is willing to listen to him. Even his own boss feels that he is exaggerating the danger, and that Harry is over-reacting because his girlfriend was killed in a volcanic eruption some months previously.
Task
You are going to read the book Dante's Peak. You have never read the books about disasters. Find out some background information and decide if you find this book interesting and worth reading.
- Learn about volcanoes. Get background information about the explosion described in the book Dante’s Peak.
- Listen first three chapters of the book.
- Watch some movie clips.
- Finally you will be asked to answer these questions:
- What is Dante’s Peak? Why does the town have a problem?
- Do you want to read the book Dante’s Peak or watch the film?
Process
Step 1.
- Work in pairs. Look at the front of the book and at the pictures inside the book and say what is this book about.
- Find out what a volcano eruption is.
Step 2
- Work in pairs. Look at the front of the book and at the pictures inside the book and say which country you think it takes place in.
- Listen to chapter one. Finish the story with the words from the box.
[http://irvin-09.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-10T23_12_29-07_00]
Step 3
- Watch video about Mount St. Helen eruption
Step 4
Listen to chapter two. Answer the questions.
http://irvin-09.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-10T23_24_07-07_00
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What does Karen Narlington write about Dante’s Peak in her newspaper story The Second Best Town in America?
Write her article in 20-35 words.
Step 5
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Listen to chapter 3 and complete the text with the given words. Answer the questions.
[http://irvin-09.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-10T23_31_47-07_00]
- Watch video
Step 6
- Answer these questions.
- What is Dante’s Peak? Why does the town have a problem?
- Do you want to read the book Dante's Peak or to watch a video?
Evaluation
SELF-EVALUATION
You now have a chance to think about and reflect on the work you have done.
You should anwer the following questions. Write a short composition /100 words/.
- How effective was my contribution to the pair work?
- What did I learn about volcanoes? Did I learn anything new?
- Did I feel more comfortable listening, speaking or writing? Was I able to help my partner?
- Do I want to read the book Dante's Peak or to watch a film?
When it is ready, give your self-evaluation to your teacher.
Conclusion
- Home Reading: Dante’s Peak Penguin Level 2
- Level: elementary
- Age: teenagers
This webquest is aimed at waking up the interest to reading the book Dante’s Peak.
During the task the students are focused on listening, speaking and writing skills.