Students will be able to construct explanations of how forces inside Earth result in earthquakes and volcanoes. 8.E.5B.2
Students will be able to construct and analyze scientific arguments to support claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents, (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features (including mountains, volcanoes, faults and trenches). 8.E.5A.5
Content Knowledge Support
- Read and compete interactive science workbook pages 396-403.
Discussion Topics
- Using the Flipgrid assigned on Google Classroom construct a scientific argument to support a claim for the most convincing evidence for the theory of plate tectonics. Choose one source of evidence from the content knowledge resources provided during this module and convince others in the class why your evidence is better than theirs. Be sure to create or use props, use a presentation, and/or diagrams in your video. Play around with all the features of Flipgrid and find the best way to present your explanation.
Recommended Exercises
(Level 5) Creation
Design and create your own GIF to accurately describe and demonstrate how convection currents results in plate movement on Earth's surface using these assignment DIRECTIONS. |
(Level 5) Creation
Design and create your own GIF to accurately describe and demonstrate how convection currents results in plate movement on Earth's surface using these assignment DIRECTIONS. |
Additional Exercises & Extensions
(Level 1) Comprehension
- Complete Continental Drift talking it over SEPUP activity using this Lab TEMPLATE.
- Complete The Theory of Plate Tectonics view and reflect SEPUP activity using Lab TEMPLATE.
(Level 2) Application
- Complete Volcanic Landforms SEPUP modeling activity using this Lab TEMPLATE.
- Complete Convection Currents SEPUP laboratory investigation using this Lab TEMPLATE.
- Complete the Evidence for Plate Tectonics EDpuzzle below.
(Level 3) Analysis
- Go to www.explorelearning.com. Use your provided login information from your teacher and complete the Building Pangaea Gizmo using these directions and then complete the Building Pangaea Gizmo analysis Google Form.
- Complete The Continent Puzzle SEPUP investigation using this Lab TEMPLATE.
(Level 4) Evaluation
- Using Google Slides or a Google Doc rank the following sources of evidence in order from most to least convincing in terms of supporting the theory of plate tectonics. For each source of evidence explain your ranking system and describe what would be needed to to convince you that this evidence is more legit. For each source of evidence below include one or more sources of your own research not included in the content knowledge resources provided in this module and cite your sources using MLA format in a bibliography.
- The distribution of fossils on different continents (3 points).
- The occurrence of earthquakes (3 points).
- Continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults and trenches (4 points).
(Level 5) Creation
- Design and create your own GIF to accurately describe and demonstrate how convection currents results in plate movement on Earth's surface using these assignment directions.
- Using Piktochart create an infographic that accurately explains the evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics including the distribution of fossils on different continents, the occurrence of earthquakes, and continental and ocean floor features (including mountains, volcanoes, faults and trenches) according to this scoring guide.
- Create a diagram explaining how convection currents inside Earth result in earthquakes and volcanoes.
Additional Explorations
- During the time of Pangaea most of the dry land on Earth was joined into one huch landmass that covered nearly a third of the planet's surface. The giant ocean that surrounded the continent is known as what?
- Pangaea existed during what geological time periods, which were times of great change?
- Most distributions of rocks within Earth's crust, including minerals, fossil fuels, and energy resources, are a direct result of the history of plate motions and collisions and the corresponding changes in the configurations of the continents and ocean basins. Research and explain how plate tectonics could account for these resources exactly.
- North America has gradually grown in size over the past 4 billion years through a complex set of interactions with other continents, including the addition of many new crustal segments. What were these continents and what areas of the United States were created by new crustal segments exactly?
- The specific types of volcanism that happens at divergent and convergent plate boundaries are called spreading center volcanism and subduction zone volcanism. Research and clearly describe the difference between the volcanism at these two plate tectonic boundaries. How are they similar? How are they different?
- During the time of Pangaea most of the dry land on Earth was joined into one huch landmass that covered nearly a third of the planet's surface. The giant ocean that surrounded the continent is known as what?
- Pangaea existed during what geological time periods, which were times of great change?
- Most distributions of rocks within Earth's crust, including minerals, fossil fuels, and energy resources, are a direct result of the history of plate motions and collisions and the corresponding changes in the configurations of the continents and ocean basins. Research and explain how plate tectonics could account for these resources exactly.
- North America has gradually grown in size over the past 4 billion years through a complex set of interactions with other continents, including the addition of many new crustal segments. What were these continents and what areas of the United States were created by new crustal segments exactly?
- The specific types of volcanism that happens at divergent and convergent plate boundaries are called spreading center volcanism and subduction zone volcanism. Research and clearly describe the difference between the volcanism at these two plate tectonic boundaries. How are they similar? How are they different?
Future Learning Connections (grades 9-12)
- Use mathematical land computational thinking to analyze seismic graphs to (1) triangulate the location of an earthquake's epicenter and magnitude, and (2) describe the correlation between frequency and magnitude of an earthquake.
- Analyze and interpret data to explain how natural hazards and other geologic events have shaped the course of human history.
- Obtain and evaluate available data on a current controversy regarding human activities which may affect the frequency, intensity, or consequences of natural hazards.
- Define problems caused by the impacts of locally significant natural hazards and design possible devices or solutions to reduce the impacts of such natural hazards on human activities.
English Language Learners
Module Review Resources
Vocabulary Practice
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