Thanks to google earth for the satellite images. This shows the area round Vesuvius and allows pupils to discuss why some people live in the shadow of volcanoes.

Active reading sheets get pupils to read the information several times and analyse it in different ways. Pupil read the sheet then re-read it to add titles to paragraphs, then re-read it to find the negatives, then re-read to find the positives, then re-read to find business strategies. A useful way to put across a lot of information without copying and with the knowledge that it will be read. Comments welcomed

A few facts to begin with to show the amount of waste produced by metal extraction. Then asks pupils to consider the effects of a nearby farm discovering copper and selling up to become a copper mine.

A photographic introduction to the island, which was created by an underwater volcano in 1963. It has remained off limits to the general public and is studied to see how weathering and erosion lead to soil formation. The final slide can be used as a template for a weathering diagram or annotated as a class activity. Feedback welcomed.

Active reading sheets mean that the pupils have to read them though several times in quick succession to get the answers. They choose the titles for the paragraphs and select data for later questions. Useful tool for conveying lots of info fast and generating discussion. The sedimentary rocks sheet is just an old-fashioned cut and sort into order. Give pupils the precut sheets as they are printed in order

A practical worksheet on the whiteboard to save with photocopying. A simple prac, put rocks in water, dry off and see if they have gained mass. A sample set of results are included. Comments welcome