January Earth Science Lesson Plans
Date
1/8, 1/9
Tues/Wed
Objectives
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1/10, 1/11
Thurs/Fri
1/14, 1/15
Mon/Tues
Identify the three types of
plate boundaries
Discuss how seafloor
spreading and continental
rifting cause formation of new
lithosphere
Describe the process of
lithospheric destruction at
subduction zones.
Differentiate between
subduction at oceaniccontinental, oceanic-oceanic,
and continental-continental
convergent boundaries.

Compare the mechanisms of
slab-pull and ridge-push as
contributing to plate motion.

Discuss how mantle convection
causes plates to move.


Evaluate student
understanding- Plate
Tectonics
Compare and contrast the
epicenter and focus of an
earthquake
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
Activities

Discuss/Notes- Actions at Plate Boundaries (35 mins)Types of Plate Boundaries- Divergent Boundaries:
Oceanic Ridges and Seafloor Spreading, Continental
Rifts, Convergent Boundaries: Oceanic-continentalOceanic-oceanic, Continental-continental, Transform
Fault Boundaries

A Model of Three Faults activity (30 mins)
HW: 9.4 Worksheet
 Review evidence for plate tectonics and go over
homework(15 mins)
 Notes/discussion- Mechanisms of Plate Motion (30
mins)- Slab-pull and ridge-push, Mantle Convection
 Test Review (30 mins)- Review Game
HW: Test next class period
 Review- Plate Tectonics
 Plate Tectonics Test
 8.1 Question Sheet
 Intro to earthquakes- discussion
BM= Benchmark
Standards


MSCS 4: BM 1
MSCS 1: BM 2, 3


MSCS 4: BM 1
MSCS 1: BM 2, 3

MSCS 4: BM 1
1/16, 1/17
Wed/Thurs



1/18, 1/22
Fri/Tues



1/23, 1/24
Wed/Thurs




1/28, 1/29
Mon/Tues

Compare and contrast the
epicenter and focus of an
earthquake.
Identify the cause of
earthquakes.
Compare and contrast
aftershocks and foreshocks
Identify the 3 types of seismic
waves.
Explain how to locate the
epicenter of an earthquake.
Describe the different ways
earthquakes are measured.
Describe the factors
contributing to earthquake
damage.
Identify the 3 types of seismic
waves.
Explain how to locate the
epicenter of an earthquake.
Describe the different ways
earthquakes are measured.
Describe the factors
contributing to earthquake
damage.
Design and build the most
structurally efficient building


HW: 8.2 Question Sheet
 Review: focus, epicenter, faults, causes, etc.
 Notes/Discussion- 8.2 (30 mins)- Earthquake waves,
Locating an earthquake, Measuring earthquakes,
Aftershocks and Foreshocks
 Locating the epicenter activity (30 mins)
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MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
PowerPoint Notes/Discussion- 8.1 “What is an
Earthquake?” (30 mins)- Definition: Focus and
epicenter, Faults , Cause of Earthquakes- discussion of
1906 San Francisco earthquake, Elastic Rebound
Hypothesis- Review potential energy, Aftershocks and
Foreshocks
Discussion- Haiti (15 mins)- Pictures and videos,
Aftershocks and foreshocks, Focus and epicenter

MSCS 4: BM 1


MSCS 4: BM 1
MSCS 1: 2, 3
Discuss Notes from last class (10 mins)- Earthquake
waves, Locating an earthquake, Measuring
earthquakes, Aftershocks and Foreshocks
Notes/Discussion (20 mins)- Destruction from
Earthquakes, Building Structures, Liquefaction,
Tsunamis, Landslides, Fire, Predicting Earthquakes
Building Earthquake-Resistant Structures Activity (30
mins)- Outline design- get it approved!
MSCS 4: BM 1
Discuss building designs- structural efficiency (10
mins)
Earthquake Resistant Building Activity (65 mins)-Build
Earthquake-Resistant Building
MSCS 4: BM 1
MSCs 1: BM 1, 2, 3
Follow guidelines, 200 Popsicle stick maximum, height
requirement, etc.
BM= Benchmark
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
BM= Benchmark