ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] ES6 (6) 4 :

4 ) Construct explanations from geologic evidence (e.g., change or extinction of particular living organisms; field evidence or representations, including models of geologic cross-sections; sedimentary layering) to identify patterns of Earth's major historical events (e.g., formation of mountain chains and ocean basins, significant volcanic eruptions, fossilization, folding, faulting, igneous intrusion, erosion).

[SC2015] ES6 (6) 6 :

6 ) Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.

This lesson is the second of a three-part unit on plate tectonics, which includes hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Students will use a hard-boiled egg to model Earth’s tectonic plates and interior layers. In addition, students will various edible materials to model the movement of tectonic plates at the different types of plate boundaries.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] ES6 (6) 6 :

6 ) Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.

This lesson is the first of a three-part unit on plate tectonics, which includes hands-on, inquiry-based activities. In this lesson, students will construct a model of continental separation and the ancient supercontinent, Pangaea. After completing this module, students will be able to explain Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and the evidence used to support this theory.

This lesson presented as part of the Alabama State University, Math, Science Partnership.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (4) 16 :

16 ) Describe patterns of Earth's features on land and in the ocean using data from maps (e.g., topographic maps of Earth's land and ocean floor; maps of locations of mountains, continental boundaries, volcanoes, and earthquakes).

[SC2015] ES6 (6) 6 :

6 ) Provide evidence from data of the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to explain past plate motions.

Earth’s most magnificent and enormous landforms are all on the ocean floor. Volcanoes and earthquakes change the ocean floor, creating new landforms. Erosion on land also deposits minerals and animal matter on the ocean floor.

The classroom resource provides a slide show that will describe the landforms on the ocean floor and how they are created through geologic processes. There is also a short test that can be used to assess students' understanding.