Continental
drift
W h a t ’ s
i t
a l l a b o u t ?
&
C l a i m , e v i d e n c e ,
r e a s o n i n g
What is the difference
between a theory and a fact?
Alfred Wegener
and Continental
Drift Video Clip
Who is Alfred Wegener?
German Scientist (meteorologist)
Developed the evidence to support his
theory on continental drift
What is continental drift?
A theory that all the continents were once
joined together, but overtime drifted apart.
The supercontinent is referred to as Pangaea.
When Alfred Wegener developed
his theory of continental drift, he
was using claim, evidence,
reasoning.
What is Claim, Evidence,
Reasoning??
Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
CLaim: What do you know?
A statement that answers the question or problem.
Evidence: How do you know that?
A summary of the data collected to support the claim.
Reasoning: Why does your evidence support your claim?
It should justify why the evidence (data) supports the
claim by using scientific principles.
Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (Example)
CLaim: What do you know?
Air is matter.
Evidence: How do you know that?
We found that the mass of the balloon increases as air is
put into it. The balloon also increased in size.
Reasoning: Why does your evidence support your claim?
This shows that air has mass and volume, which are two
characteristics of matter.
Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (Wegener)
CLaim: What do you know?
The continents were joined together at one time to form a
supercontinent.
Evidence: How do you know that?
(We will discuss Thursday once your claim, evidence, and
reasoning is completed.)
Reasoning: Why does your evidence support your claim?
(We will discuss Thursday once your claim, evidence, and
reasoning is completed.)
Wegener & Continental Drift Activity
Directions: Follow the directions to cut out the continents.
Glue the circle onto page 17 at the top.
Title the page (Wegener & Continental Drift)
Glue/tape the continents into the circle.
Claim/Evidence/Reasoning: Write your explanation after
completing the activity based on the evidence shown.
Your claim, evidence, and reasoning should be based
on the following question:
How does the fossil evidence on each continent
affect whether or not you agree with Wegener?
By about 300 million years ago, a unique community of plants had evolved known as the European
flora. Fossils of these plants are found in Europe and other areas. Color the areas with these fossils
yellow.
Fossils of the fern Glossopteris have been found in these locations . Color the areas with these fossils
green.
Fossil remains of the half meter-long fresh or brackish water (reptile) Mesosaurus. Mesosaurs flourished in
the early Mesozoic Era, about 240 million years ago. Mesosaurs had limbs for swimming, but could also
walk on land. Other fossil evidence found in rocks along with Mesosaurs indicate that they lived in lakes
and coastal bays or estuaries. Color the areas with these fossils blue.
Fossil remains of Cynognathus, a land reptile approximately 3 meters long that lived during the Early
Mesozoic Era, about 230 million years ago. It was a weak swimmer. Color the areas with these fossils
orange.
Fossil evidence of the Early Mesozoic, land-dwelling reptile Lystrosaurus. They reproduced by laying eggs
on land. In addition, their anatomy suggests that these animals were probably very poor swimmers. Color
the areas with these fossils brown.