Fords project earth sciencegeology published by nsta press in 1996 activity 6, p. Plate tectonics introducing the first chapter in the earth science interactive notebook series. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earths outer shell that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface and reconstructing its past continents and oceans. Dissipation of heat from the earths interior drives plate movement. Designed for easy implementation and adaptive to a variety of teaching situations. Page 1 introduction information about plate tectonics with fill in questions related to reading. The himalayan mountains, including mount everest, were formed by the convergent boundary of the indian plate and the eurasian plate. Masters of disaster earthquakes, earthquake science, lesson plan 1plate tectonics. We will learn about the theory of plate tectonics and discover how tectonics plates move. Investigating the patterns produced by volcanoes and earthquakes. Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions. Edible plate tectonics math and science partnership. The east african rift is an example of a single tectonic plate being ripped in two. During the summer of 2010, scientists from indonesia and the united.
Working together with real data, the students are able to. The plate tectonics mapping activity allows students to easily begin. Slides 2636 walks students through the activity that uses a candy bar milky way to illustrate plate tectonics and related forces that act on earths plates. It is the cause of so many earthquakes in california. Plate tectonics interactive 3 activities and demonstrations 1 model earth a simulation of density contrasts within the earth groups of students are given a pair of plasticine spheres, of equal size. There are many fields of science that are part of earth science including geology rocks and minerals, paleontology dinosaurs and fossils, meteorology atmosphere and the weather, and oceanography. The grade 6 earth science unit on plate tectonics is presented to students through a series of investigations using indirect evidence models and direct evidence, experiments, active learning experiences, researching using a variety of sources, questions, and assessments. Slides 2636 walks students through the activity that uses a candy bar milky way to illustrate plate tectonics and related forces that act on earth s plates. This unit covers the layers of the earth, pangaea, plate tectonics, faults, earthquakes, volcanoes and more.
Students participate in a jigsaw activity to learn about types of plate boundaries, becoming an expert in one of five global datasets earthquakes, volcanoes, seafloor age, topography, and gravity and then sharing their expertise to build connections between the different datasets. The term tectonics comes from a greek word meaning to build. The mariana trench is the deepest part of the ocean. Oct 30, 2014 of course, divergent plate boundaries also exist on land. I made different maps, including more detail in all of the datasets, and used a different map projection, but otherwise the general progression of the activity is the same. Earth science education activities a wealth of excellent handson activities for teaching about earthquakes, volcanoes, seismic waves, plate tectonics, earth structure, seismic waves, convection, seismometers and more. Based on various earth science lessons taught at st. Help young scientists piece together the theory of plate tectonics with this comprehensive collection of materials. Attempt has been made to cover various points on different plate tectonics theories. Students will examine plate boundaries, continents, and oceans on a. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes. In this activity, students are challenged to design a model of earth that represents earths layers, plate tectonics, and related landf. Theory of plate tectonicstheory of plate tectonics plate tectonicsplate tectonics plate boundariesplate boundaries causes of plate tectonicscauses of plate tectonics 2. Perfect cumulative classroom activity for a middle school plate tectonics unit.
Earths crust consists of major and minor tectonic plates that move relative to. In this activity, students are challenged to design a model of earth that represents earth s layers, plate tectonics, and related landf. Resources in this section pertain to the theory of continental drift, plate tectonics, mantle convection, plate boundaries, hot spots, earthquake waves and earthquake analysis. Display and discuss slides 1618 of the natural disasters powerpoint. Oreo tectonics health science classroom, tectonic plates. In simple terms, what causes the earths tectonic plates to move. Powered by create your own unique website with customizable templates. Plate tectonics information and facts national geographic. This unit in the form of pdf file includes engaging, colorful, informative, visually stimulating and eyecatching photos and diagrams as per the topic need which rarely fails to. Plate tectonics introduction and map activity by geoearth. Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of earth s outer shellthe lithosphere that revolutionized earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountainbuilding processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of earths surface and reconstructing its past continents and oceans.
Learn about the earths layers kids learn about the earths solid and atmospheric layers, then label the diagram with the correct terms in this fifth grade earth science worksheet. Each chapter in the series will showcase many activities for the students both middle and high school to process the information given by teachers. Subduction the birth place of a volcanic mountain range good animation teaching about earthquakes and plate tectonics plan for a virtual journey to the earths center this expired link is. San andreas fault slide by slide description fault movement, especially at plate boundaries, is largely an underground or even underwater process hidden from our view. But the boundary between the north american and pacific plates interfaces in a line that runs from the mexican border north.
We are in unit of layers of learning and todays science lesson was on plate tectonics. Our experts wont do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions. Plate movements are responsible for most continental and ocean floor features and for the distribution of most rocks and minerals within earths crust. Plates move at a rate of a few centimeters a year, about the same rate fingernails grow. The pacific plate is being subducted under the mariana plate. The development of the theory is an excellent example of the cumulative nature of science and the scientifc. This unit covered the layers of the earth, pangaea, plate tectonics, faults, earthquakes, volcanoes and more. Conduct research on the internet to locate volcanic activity within the ring of fire.
Ed platetectonics model earth science 20 ideas science experiments volcano plate tectonics for 2019 disambiguation science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Along the horn of africa, the african plate is tearing itself into what is sometimes called the nubian plate to the west, including most of the current african plate and the somali plate to the east, including the horn of africa and the western indian. Of course, divergent plate boundaries also exist on land. Plate tectonics use the links below to explore available resources covering major concepts associated with the study of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics national science teachers association. Students will examine one method for creating a twodimensional map of a spherical surface. It covers all aspects of the planet from the deep inner core to the outer layers of the atmosphere. The following activities allow students to experience the differences of speeds at. Explore the scientific theory of plate tectonics by describing how.
Click on a worksheet in the set below to see more info or download the pdf. Plate tectonics introduction and map activity introduction to the basics of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics and crustal features foldable earth. Rodinia supercontinent pangea animation for kids pangaea ultima animation map pangea with 500 x 539 161 kb jpeg pangea activity cut out printable pangea puzzle worksheet cut out. We are in unit 47 of layers of learning and todays science lesson was on plate tectonics. This classroom activity can be used to introduce or expand plate tectonics for elementary, secondary, middle school, and university level students. It is the boundary between the north american plate and the pacific plate. Students create their own crosssection drawing to represent plate tectonics. This plate tectonics lesson plan can easily be adapted for elementary, secondary, middle school, and university students. Information includes alfred wegener, plate tectonic evidence, plate facts and fill in questions.
Kiss resources for the australian curriculum science. Illustrate tectonic events fifth 5th grade science standards. Learn earth science vocabulary plate tectonics with free interactive flashcards. Plate tectonics handson activity earth science unit this is one of more than a dozen handson activities we did as we studied earth science. Stem club plate tectonics plate tectonics, earth science. This activity is a slight variation on an original activity, discovering plate boundaries, developed by dale sawyer at rice university. The plates make up earth s outer shell, called the lithosphere. Choose from 500 different sets of earth science vocabulary plate tectonics flashcards on quizlet.
Plate tectonics is an earth sciences topic that attracts a good deal of interest, given that it a topic very often featured in popular science programmes. Plate tectonics a handson exercise about plate tectonics and earthquakes from pbs. How are the terms used when talking about the earths tectonic plates. Plate tectonics exercise background plate tectonics describes the earths crust as being a rigid exterior, which is divided into several slabs, or plates, which are located above the convecting mantle and move through time. Plate movements are responsible for most continental and ocean floor features and for the distribution of most rocks and minerals within earth s crust. Movement of the plates over earths surface is termed plate tectonics. We do science once a week, usually on tuesday or wednesday. They should use a fingernail to make a few breaks in the crust or top of the candy bar.
Plate tectonics student name 60 25 10 2 2 10 25 60 inspection copy for schools only. Covers ngss earth science msess21 and msess22, as well as the ngss developing and using models practice. Comments about including the science and engineering practice although the theory of plate tectonics is explained before students investigate the evidence that supports it, students can still be tasked with explaining how the information they have gathered, especially in the hands on activities, supports the theory. Adaptive earth science pdf a large collection of earth science activities developed by practicing teachers. For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. The reason for this geologic activity is that indonesia is located at the junction of several tectonic plates that make up earths crust. One famous transform boundary is the san andreas fault in california. Illustrate tectonic events fifth 5th grade science. Kids learn about the earth science subject of plate tectonics. Evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics includes distribution of rock formation and fossils, shapes of existing continents, ocean floor features, and seismic and volcanic activity. Teaching earth science a collection of classroom activities and lesson plans here is a list of teacher resources that can easily be modified and incorporated into the earth science classroom. Pdf pdf format of a complete powerpoint show for the.
This is a unit study on plate tectonics in geology or earth science subject. Understanding plate tectonics can be a tricky enterprise, but there are a number of fun activities that will help kids understand this fundamental geological science principle. A single plate can be made of all oceanic lithosphere or all continental lithosphere, but nearly all plates are made of a combination of both. The layer of rock between the earths crust and core. Continental drift, seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. Plate tectonics earth science activities, earth, space. Students will create a model of the earth that they can hold and examine. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The plates make up earths outer shell, called the lithosphere. Whether your are looking for worksheets, handson activities, or assessments, this resource has everything a science teacher nee. The presentation about plate tectonics is divided into 3 separate discussions. The followup activity challenges students to develop their own edible models. Reviews both ngss earth science msess21 and msess22, well as supporting the ngss developing and using models practice. This approach is meant to highlight the historical development of the theory of plate tectonics. Scientists are now able to track the movement of tectonic plates using gps. This week students will continue to learn about earth and its structure, specifically plate tectonics and plate boundaries. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. Plate tectonics science lessons, plate tectonics, earth. Edible plate tectonics page 2 next generation science standards earth science msess23. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the ask an expert forum.
Subduction the birth place of a volcanic mountain range good animation teaching about earthquakes and plate tectonics plan for a virtual journey to the earth s center this expired link is. The thin and solid outermost layer of the earth above the mantle. We will investigate earths compositional and physical layers and describe their properties. Science classroom teaching science teaching tools earth science projects earth and space science 6th grade science middle school science science resources science activities this product is designed to align with sol 5. What are the earths crust and upper mantle broken into. Plate tectonics and volcanic activity national geographic. Plate tectonics introduction and map activity by geo. Mapping world plates helps students connect topography, earthquakes, volcanoes, and plates. Along the horn of africa, the african plate is tearing itself into what is sometimes called the nubian plate to the west, including most of the current african plate and the somali plate to the east, including the horn of africa and the. A variety of earth science activities, ideas from teachers, related resources, and student interactions for classroom. Huge masses of molten rock rise from deep inside earth, cool into a solid, travel along our planets surface and then sink back down. In this unit, we will explore how the movement of tectonic plates accounts for important features on earths surface and for major geologic events. For billions of years, earth has been remodeling itself.
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