PHYSICAL STRUCTURES LESSON 1
TECTONIC PLATE LESSON 2
TN Standard: SPI 707.7.3 & GLE0707.Inq. 5
This lab is designed to help the students understand the physical structures of the Earth and the way
tectonic plate boundaries move.
Resources: Paper plates, play dough, colored pencils.
Lab Duration: 1 class period 50 minutes
Total number of students: 134 divided into 5 class periods approximately 27 in each class
Prep: Purchase play dough or make your own.
1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water
Mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add water. Knead and squeeze the dough to make a clay consistency. You may
need to add more water. Note: This dough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipes.
Knead food coloring (liquid or paste) to change the color. You can use unsweetened Kool-Aid for color and will add a
scent. For fun you can add glitter for sparkly play dough.
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Prior knowledge vocabulary understanding: Physical Structures Lesson 1
crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere (convection), mesosphere, outer core, inner core, magma
Hook/Opening Lesson 1:
If you journeyed to the center of the Earth, what would experience on the way? Review the
vocabulary with the students.
Lesson 1: Give each student a paper plate, with the colored pencils have them label and color the
physical structures (layers) of the Earth. Student should right facts about each layer (estimated size,
texture and composition).
Give each student 5 different colors of play dough and have then construct the physical structures of
the Earth.
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Prior knowledge vocabulary understanding: Tectonic Plates Lesson 2
tectonic plate, sea floor spreading (med-ocean ridges), convergent boundary, divergent boundary,
transform boundary, subduction, slab pull, continental lithosphere, oceanic lithosphere, magma
Hook/Opening Lesson 2:
The movement of tectonic plates is driven by differences in temperature and density. Review
the vocabulary with the students
Lesson 2: Give each student a paper plate and different colors of play dough. The student will construct
different plates and positioning them to represent the five types of boundaries. Label each of the 5
types of boundaries:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Continental Boundary – Continental Boundary Convergent
Continental Boundary – Oceanic Boundary Convergent (subduction)
Oceanic Boundary– Oceanic Boundary Convergent (subduction)
Divergent Boundary (mid-ocean ridge, sea floor spreading)
Transform Boundary
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Assessment:
Student projects will be presented and displayed. Students will identify the physical structures
and tectonic plate boundaries.
Closure:
Review the vocabulary by asking students to stand and using their hands peel the layers of the
Earth: crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere (convection), mesosphere, outer core, inner core, magma.
Using their hands have students demonstrate how movement occurs at the different plate boundaries.