Unit Plan: Erosion/Plate Tectonics
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Unit Author
First and Last Name
Deborah Dodd
Author's E-mail Address
Debsdogs123@yahoo.com
Course Name(s)
CECS
Course Number(s)
4100
Course Section(s)
.008
Instructor Name(s):
Unit Overview
Unit Plan Title
Erosion/Plate Tectonics
Curriculum-Framing Questions
Essential Question
How does the Earth change?
Unit Questions
1) Could a volcano erupt in my backyard?
2) What happened to form the Grand Canyon?
3) Could an earthquake happen at my school?
Unit Summary
This is a unit on what forces cause the earth’s surface to change. It focuses on how erosion
and plate tectonics cause earthquakes, volcanoes and other changes in the surface of the
planet. Students will use internet sites to collect and analyze information. They will use this
information to create a poster and power point presentation. Students will also use the
internet to find instructions for building a working volcano. As a completion to the unit the
class will create a website with pictures of their volcanoes and power point presentations.
Subject Area(s): (List all subjects that apply)
Earth Science and Technology Applications
Grade Level (Click boxes of all grade levels that apply)
K-2
6-8
ESL
Gifted and Talented
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T E A C H
T O
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3-5
9-12
Resource
Other:
T H E
F U T U R E
1
UQ
#
1
Student
Objective/Learning
Outcome
Working in small groups of 4,
the students will define and
illustrate volcano terms; crust,
mantle, magma pool, magma,
lava, ash, cone and vents to
demonstrate their understanding
of the different parts of a
volcano.
Targeted State
Procedures/Activities
Standard/Benchmark
TEKS Grade 4 7A-observe and
record changes in the states of
matter caused by the
addition/reduction of heat
TAC 126 4B-navigate and access
information on Internet
TAC 126 5A- acquire
information including
graphics
1) “Google” search live volcanoes
around the world and choose one
for project.
2) Create a brochure about the
volcano chosen that includes
volcano terms with illustrations
for those terms found on the
internet.
Websites; Volcano World and
How Volcanoes Work
1
The students will create their
own 3D volcano with Earth
Quest computer software to
demonstrate their understanding
of volcano formation.
TEKS Grade 4 7A-observe and
record changes in the states of
matter caused by the
addition/reduction of heat
TAC 126 7A-use software
programs with audio, video and
graphics to enhance learning
experiences
1) Work in small groups using
Earth Quest computer software to
create 3D volcano.
1
The student will create a model
volcano that shows their
understanding of the causes of
volcanoes.
TEKS Grade 4 7A-observe and
record changes in the states of
matter caused by the
addition/reduction of heat
TAC 126 4B-navigate and access
information on Internet
TAC 126 11A-publish
information in a variety of media
1) Search internet for instructions
to build volcano.
2) Build model volcano.
3) Take pictures of volcanoes
with digital camera
TEKS Grade 4 10A-identify and
observe effects of events that
require time for changes to be
noticeable including erosion,
dissolving, weathering and flow
TAC 126 8B-use interactive
technology environments, such
as field trips to manipulate
information
1) Use internet to visit the Grand
Canyon on a virtual field trip.
2) In small groups, list 3
formations requiring water flow
and time to form.
3) Use Microsoft word to make
flashcards
2
The student will find out how
water and erosion affect the
landscape by going on an
electronic field trip to the Grand
Canyon, seeing how the
landform developed, and
furthering their understanding
by creating flashcards showing
the how water can effect the
land.
I N T E L ®
T E A C H
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© 2001 Intel. All rights reserved.
T H E
F U T U R E
Websites; Science Bob and
Discovery School
2
UQ
#
Student
Objective/Learning
Outcome
Targeted State
Procedures/Activities
Standard/Benchmark
2
The student will demonstrate
their understanding of
weathering and erosion by
creating a visual display
contrasting and comparing the
way a cave is formed and a
canyon are formed.
TEKS Grade 4 10A-identify and
observe effects of events that
require time for changes to be
noticeable including erosion,
dissolving, weathering and flow
TAC 126 5A- acquire
information including text, …
and graphics
1) Use internet to get
information/pictures to create a
poster.
3
The student will demonstrate
their understanding of what
causes an earthquake by creating
a demonstration of plate
tectonics with a box project.
TEKS Grade 4 7B- conduct tests,
compare data and draw
conclusions about physical
properties of matter…
TAC 126 5A- acquire
information including text, …
1) Use internet to get information
about plate tectonics and
instructions to build project.
2) As a class, create a list of
questions to “Ask-An-EarthScientist” and use website to gain
answers.
2) In small groups, build project
out of box and paper.
3) Each group will demonstrate
project and explain to the class
what it represents.
and graphics
3
3
The student will demonstrate
their understanding of the causes
of earthquakes by creating a
power point presentation
discussing plate tectonics.
The student will use either Earth
Quest software or the Cosmeo
website to demonstrate their
understanding of earthquakes by
setting off virtual earthquakes.
I N T E L ®
T E A C H
T O
© 2001 Intel. All rights reserved.
T H E
TEKS Grade 4 11A-test
properties of soils including
texture, capacity to retain water
and ability to support life.
TAC 126 11B-use presentation
software to communicate with
specific audiences
TEKS Grade 4 7B- conduct tests,
compare data and draw
conclusions about physical
properties of matter…
TAC 126 7A-use software
programs with audio, video and
graphics to enhance learning
experiences
F U T U R E
1) Use internet to research
information to write report.
2) use MS-Publisher to produce
power point
1) Work in small groups using
either Earth Quest computer
software to set off an earthquake
or visit Cosmeo website to create
virtual building to see the effects
of an earthquake on the structure.
3
Approximate Time Needed (Example: 45 minutes, 4 hours, 1 year, etc.)
Approximately 2 weeks- one hour a day for 14 days
Prerequisite Skills
Prior to this unit the students will already;
Science Knowledge
-know the different natural forces and how they can change things
-know the earth is changing all the time due to weathering
Technology Skills
-be familiar with digital camera
-have searched the internet for information
-be familiar with MS Publisher
-have experience with Word processing.
Materials and Resources Required For Unit
Technology – Hardware
Camera
Computer(s)
Digital Camera
DVD Player
Internet Connection
Technology – Software
Database/Spreadsheet
Desktop Publishing
E-mail Software
Encyclopedia on CD-ROM
Laser Disk
Printer
Projection System
Scanner
Television
Image Processing
Internet Web Browser
Multimedia
VCR
Video Camera
Video Conferencing Equip.
Other:
Web Page Development
Word Processing
Other: Earth Quest
software
Printed
Materials
Supplies
I N T E L ®
Paper, poster board, several shoe boxes, markers, materials from home to
build volcano and card for digital camera
T E A C H
T O
© 2001 Intel. All rights reserved.
T H E
F U T U R E
4
How Volcanoes Work-explains what forms a volcano and the different types of
volcanoes
www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/
VolcanoWorld- has update information on volcanoes and links to volcano
experts
http://volcano.und.edu/
Science Bob- instructions to build a volcano
www.sciencebob.com/experiments/volcano.html
Internet
Resources
Grand Canyon National Park- information on the Grand Canyon
http://www.nps.gov/grca/education/ElectronicFieldTrip/index.htm
Volcano World- direct link to plate tectonic box project
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/activities/p_number5.html
Ask-An-Earth-Scientist- ask an expect questions
www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/askaseismologist.html
Cosmeo-brain game to see virtual earthquake
http://www.cosmeo.com/viewbraingame.cfm?Science&guidassetid=e57633c21b29-4b3d-bb54-2d70687fa830
Accommodations for Differentiated Instruction
Others
Resource
Student
Gifted
Student
The students will work in class and in groups to provide support for resource
students.
The gifted students will be able to use their gifts to expound their projects,
brochure and power point presentations.
Student Assessment
-Students will be graded with a publishing rubric for volcano brochure that gives points for
content, cited works and accuracy
-Students will have a quiz over volcano terms
-Students will be graded on their volcano projects based on creativity and ability to function
-Students will have a quiz over water flow formations
-Students will have a rubric for poster that gives points for neatness, creativity, accuracy of
information and general content
-Students will have a quiz over the differences of cave and canyon formation
-Students will be graded for their power point using a publisher power point rubric tht gives
points for content, presentation, cited works and appearance
-Students will be given a test to evaluate their knowledge of plate tectonics and erosion
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