UNIT TITLE: Plate Tectonics
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 6th Grade Earth Science
TEACHER: Megan Talarico
STAGE ONE
Desired Results:
2. Develop the ability to think critically by gathering, synthesizing, evaluating, and
analyzing scientific information so that they can be independent learners and thinkers.
A. Be able to evaluate scientific information
B. Independently gather scientific information
C. Synthesize scientific information from text, class discussions, and research
3. Know and understand common properties, forms, and changes in matter and energy.
B. Explain how the density of a material causes it to interact within the given earth
system (convection currents, volcanic activity)
5. Students know and understand the processes and interactions of the Earth’s system and
the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology,
Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography)
A. Understand the driving forces and effects of plate tectonics
6. Students know and understand interrelationships among science, technology, and
human activity and how they can affect the world
B. Make connections between knowledge of earth process and their effect on life
7. Students apply literacy skills to scientific texts
A. Students know how to read a science textbook
B. Students are exposed to scientific articles
C. Students read science based fiction and nonfiction
8. Scientific Practices
A. Learn to put research into their own words
B. Take careful notes from scientific texts
Essential Questions:
Enduring Understandings:
1. Is there enough evidence to
1. To support many scientific theories, scientists
support the theory of plate
must use data that relates to the process without
tectonics?
observing the process itself.
2. How is the field of scientific study 2. Data that relates to Earth layers and plate
often like solving a jigsaw puzzle?
tectonics such as earthquake and volcano
patterns, geography, and geochronology can be
pieced together to form a larger picture of earth
processes.
Knowledge:
Skills:
A1. Read text, watch a music video, view electronic
A. Earth Layers
animation, and create a poster labeling the earth layers
 Composition
 Relative density, temperature, and describing their characteristics.
A2. Participate in a hands-on density layering activity.
pressure
Connect knowledge of density with convection
B. Plate Tectonics
currents in the mantle.
 Evidence supporting the
B1. Collaborate with partners, discuss differing views,
theory
think critically by synthesizing evidence in support of


Types of plate boundaries
Possible causes of plate
motion
the theory of plate tectonics within the Discovering
Plate Boundaries activity published by Rice University
B2. Apply knowledge of types of plate boundaries to
describe the type of boundary and motion of a given
plate within the Discovering Plate Boundaries activity.
B3. Apply literacy skills to a scientific text on causes
of plate motion.
STAGE TWO
Performance Assessments:
 Connect knowledge of density to Earth layers and convection currents when presenting
Earth Layers poster or demonstrating convection currents with a science sphere.
 Demonstrate knowledge of plate boundary types, evidence for plate tectonics, and the
ability to persist, think about their thinking, communicate with clarity, think
interdependently, and remain open to continuous learning while engaging with the
Discovering Plate Boundaries group activity and presentation.
Other Assessments:
 Formative assessment and intervention throughout the Discovering Plate Boundaries
activity. Seeking information on how the student is problem solving, working within
the group, and applying the habits of mind.
STAGE THREE
L1 - Map Inquiry. Student groups receive one of 4 maps and are asked to define what data the
map is showing.
L2
Materials:
Holt McDougal Science Fusion Module E: The Dynamic Earth (text and online interactives)
Discovering Plate Boundaries activity created and published by Dale S Sawyer with Rice
University
Websites:
Layers of the Earth rap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9j1xGaxYzY
Dance of the continents article
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/science/09geo.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Continental drift – great interactive way to test knowledge of plate motion
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/drift2.html
Blendspaces:
Introduction to blendspace: http://blnds.co/1eJIBD1
Earth Layers: http://blnds.co/1aNPsw1
Plate tectonics: http://blnds.co/18Cya3g