For students to effectively read about volcanoes, they must have reading comprehension skills appropriate to the books they are given on the subject. Prepare students for the vocabulary in the books as a pre-reading exercise by presenting the words and helping them to understand them. Use words that are grade-appropriate. Relate the words to volcanoes and use words from the text as spelling words in the week leading up to the reading, for example.
The analysis and interpretation of what students read about volcanoes is as important as the ability to comprehend the material. Critical thinking skills, such as the ability to argue whether or not people should live near volcanoes or think about what might happen if a long dormant volcano erupted are necessary. Break up the reading by asking thought-provoking questions that require students to think about a small portion of the reading, as well as the subject of volcanoes as a whole.
Reading about volcanoes will almost certainly involve science. Students must be capable of understanding basic geography and the causes of volcanic activity. Being able to find areas of volcanic activity on a map, to use a chart for classroom projects after reading assignments, and the ability to glean data from reading are all intellectual skills required for reading about volcanoes. Consider leading up to reading about volcanoes by studying an area such as the Cascade Volcanic Arc in Washington and Oregon states, and charting the dates of volcanic activity on a graph.
Problem-solving skills are required for using the information from reading about volcanoes to participate in after-reading activities or to write papers about what has been written. Students should be capable of relating what they've read to the real world, so that they can write or speak about volcanoes outside of repeating exactly what has been read. After reading as a class, assign small groups of students to do further research on one aspect of volcanoes to present to the class. They will use problem solving skills to find resources and work together as they develop their presentation.