IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
A. Title of this lesson: Pangaea and Wegener
B. Summary of this lesson
Work in Progress
C. Objective(s)/Learning Goal(s)/ Key Student Learning(s) of this lesson
Student will understand that:
1. Alfred Wegener’s observations lead him to hypothesize that earth was once
a giant supercontinent called Pangea which drifted apart over time.
2. The fit of the continents, fossil evidence, and geological similarities in
mountain chains and coal deposits, rocks and rock structure of coasts, were all
evidence that his hypothesis was true.
3. In spite of the evidence, his findings were rejected because he could not find
a mechanism for how they drifted apart.
4. Wegener’s idea was the first step in the development of the theory of plate
tectonics.
D. Teacher Background Knowledge for this lesson
Work in Progress
E. Prior knowledge that students need to understand this lesson - with an assessment to
determine what they already know (if appropriate).
Work in Progress
F. Standards covered in this lesson
Current California Science Standard
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
a. Students know evidence of plate tectonic is derived from the fit of the
continents; the location of earthquakes, volcanoes and mid ocean ridges
NGSS
Work in Progress
CCSS that apply
Reading
Work in Progress
Writing
Work in Progress
Listening & Speaking:
Work in Progress
Math
Work in Progress
G.
Suggested time to complete this lesson
Work in Progress
H. Materials Used in this lesson typed in a bulleted list with quantities (e.g., 10 beakers; water
– 2 liters)
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
1) Map or globe for each group
2) Activity on Wegener’s Puzzling Evidence
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/about/edu/dynamicplanet/wegener/
I. Materials Prep for this lesson
Work in Progress
J. Lesson Plan – detailed, numbered step-by-step plans.
1. Have students look at a map of the continents and have them make
observations about what they notice. (They you notice the shapes of South
America and Africa and the fact that they look like they may fit together.)
2. Talk about Alfred Wegener, a famous meteorologist who studied the jet
stream and from his observations developed the idea of continental drift.
We actually read a biography provided by CPO, however you could find a
short bio on line and have them read that. Additional material about the
other evidence used to support the idea of continental drift is presented in
our textbook, however you can find material in the activity from USGS
described below.
3. Next we do the USGS activity for Pangea, Wegener’s Puzzling Evidence
Exercise (6th grade). Students look at fossil evidence on various continents,
color similar fossils and then cut out the continents. Then they try to fit the
continents together using shape and fossil evidence.
4. You can use the questions in the activity as a follow-up, however our followup was to list the observations that he made and all the evidence that was
gathered and then talk about the fact that, in spite of all apparent
“evidence” the scientific community could not accept his findings. His
evidence was not testable and not acceptable to the scientific community
because he could not give them a mechanism for change.
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
5. These observations were the results of the activity and the additional
reading we did in our textbook.
Observation
It appeared that the
outline of South
America would fit
directly into the outline
of Africa as if they
were once joined and
had broken apart
Matching plant fossils
in South America,
Africa, India, Australia
and Antarctica
Matching reptile fossils
in South America and
Africa
Matching early
mammal fossil found in
South America and
Africa
Matching mountain
ranges in North
America, Africa and
South America
Coal beds stretch
across the eastern
United States and
continue across
southern Europe
Testable Evidence
Not testable
No mechanism for how this
happened.
No mechanism for how this
happened
No mechanism for how
Visual proof but no explanation
or mechanism to explain why
No mechanism for how
continents could move apart
A key part of Wegener’s hypothesis was that some unknown force had
caused the continents to slide over or push through the rocky bottoms of
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
the ocean, however it was rejected because he could find no evidence to
explain how this happened.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT: RERUN
Recall: Summarize what you did in the Pangaea Activity
Explain: Explain the purpose of the Activity
Results: What were the results of the activity?
Uncertainties: after doing this activity what are you still unsure of?
New: List at least two new things that you learned from this activity.
K. Vocabulary words – key vocabulary words that are targeted or taught as part of the lesson.
(Understanding these words is essential for students to understand the key concepts of this
lesson.)
Work in Progress
L. Potential Pitfalls for: a. student understanding; b. laboratory mishaps and common
procedural errors; c. academic vocabulary issues, etc.
Work in Progress
M. Differentiation: Modifications for English Learners, advanced learners, struggling learners,
etc.
Work in Progress
N. Please list all worksheets used in this lesson.
Work in Progress
O. Please list all assessments that require a separate sheet.
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
Plate tectonics Probe (See attached)
P. Photos/Illustrations
N/A
Q. Other Resources
N/A
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)
IC Lessons Plate Tectonics
This is lesson _1_ of _4_ in this IC
The students at Bohannon Middle School had to make an Earth model showing the plate boundaries. Since this was a
group project, they needed to work together and there was disagreement among group members about where plate
boundaries were found.
Jose said, "Plate boundaries can be anywhere in an ocean or a continent."
Thuy said, "Boundaries are always where oceans meet continents."
Robert said, "Plate boundaries are always in the middle of the oceans."
Sarah said, "Boundaries are not found in continents."
Which student do you agree with and why?
Created by San Lorenzo USD Teachers: Julie Ramirez, Veenu Soni, Marilyn Stewart, and Lawrence Yano
(2012)