5E Inquiry Lesson Plan
Title: PANGAEA
Grade level: 6th
National Standards:
Unifying Concepts and Processes
Understanding about scientific inquiry
Structure of the Earth’s systems
History of Science
ACOS:
#’s 2,4,5,6
Objectives:
1. Construct a model providing a visual representation of continental separation.
2. Reconstruct the ancient “super continent Pangaea”.
3. Examine the theory of Continental Drift which explains how the continents arrived at
their present positions.
Procedures
Materials:
The Continents: A Jigsaw Puzzle (Handout A): for groups of four students: 1 cup
Plaster of Paris; ½ cup cold water; bowl (approximately 1 quart); aluminum foil; cookie
sheet; spoon; spatula; plastic cups; small Ziploc bags; sheet of blank paper.
Pangaea Modeling Activity: for groups of two students: 1 set of Pangaea puzzle
pieces; scissors; scotch tape; globe for every four students; Handout B.
Wegener’s Fossil Evidence for Continental Drift Activity (per student): Color Key
Handout; Continental Land Mass Outline; scissors; tape; colored pencils.
Engage
Time: 2 Class Periods
Day 1:
Pre Test
Review: Background Information
Plate Tectonics Word Search
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Day 2:
Continents: A Jigsaw Puzzle (Handout A)
Video: View the video on Plate Tectonics during the time the Plaster of Paris is setting
up.
Explore
Time: One class period
Day 3:
Pangaea Modeling Activity
Explain
Time: One Class period
Day 4:
Class comparison and discussion for Questions 1, 2, 3 of the Pangaea Modeling
Activity
Power Point Presentation
Elaborate
Time: TAKE HOME ACTIVITY on Day 4
Wegener’s Fossil Evidence for Continental Drift Activity
Evaluate
Time: 15 minutes or one class period (teacher choice)
Day 5:
Handout C: If desired, this could be a Take-Home Activity
Handout D: If desired, this could be a Take-Home Activity
Post Test: Must be done individually in class
Safety:
N/A
Prepared by: Dr. Debbie Payne, Ruth H. Liddell, Shirley K. Scarbrough
Alabama State University, Math, Science Partnership, Fall 2013
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