Plate Tectonics/ Earthquakes
Tuesday/Wednesday - Start with a skyward start. The start is a modified start we have
completed before about experimentation. As a class we will make up an experiment and list
out the variable, controls, constants, dependent variable, and a possible constraint. Second
we will continue our note presentation hopefully finishing with the notes on plate
boundaries. We will attempt a plate boundary dance to help us remember our processes.
Students will be asked to think of a way to speed up or slow down the convection current. I
will redo a lab we did earlier in the year. Students will be asked to come up with a way to
modify the experiment. Homework is a convection current worksheet. Paper copies will be
available in class. https://www.mvschools.org/cms/lib03/ca01001212/centricity/domain/134/mantleconvection.pdf
Thursday/Friday - Finish slide presentation from past class if necessary. Demonstrate plate
boundaries with clay models. We will then complete a lab using different layers of plastic
wrap (selifane). Students will complete a lab independently with a hypothesis,
experimentation, data table, graph, and conclusion. Homework is a worksheet on plate
tectonics. Paper copies will be available in class and a digital copy will be attached in
skyward.
Before we leave class I will ask for any thoughts on how to modify our experiment from
earlier in the year. Students that wish to try their hypothesis will be given supplies and
expected to share results when completed.
Monday/Tuesday Skyward start using plate tectonic terms. We will look at usgs.gov. We
will cut and paste pangaea on balloons (5 minutes), we will complete a sea floor spreading
paper demonstration (7 minutes). We will again use the clay to demonstrate the different
plate boundaries. Students will be asked to color and label the plate boundaries on a world
map. The map will be due at our next class. If time allows we will watch the three videos on
my web page. Any extra time can be used to complete the two additional article readings or
have those who have completed extra experiments share the results.
Wednesday/Thursday - Start class with a look at USGS.gov. We will label/diagram an
earthquake. We will demonstrate seismic waves - primary, secondary, and surface. We will
complete an activity either on the computer - if it works - adobe - or on paper about the
process on finding the epicenter of an earthquake. Worksheet on finding an earthquake
epicenter. There will be a few short video clips showing the different movements in the Earth
as a result plate movement. We will also take a look at tsunami waves and their destruction.
Students will be encouraged to watch the Nova series on sinking cities in the world.
