Download HS Earth Standard 3.3 Plate Tectonics

Curriculum Guide
High School Science 3.3
Earth Systems Standard 3.3 - The theory of plate tectonics helps explain geological, physical, and geographical features of Earth.
Related Colorado Department of Education Sample Units:
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Earth's Changing Surface - High School (Earth) Science (Concepts: Change, Systems, Plate Tectonics, Structure, Impacts, Landforms)
Motion And Force - High School Physical Science (Concepts: Mass, Velocity, Motion, Acceleration, Force, Friction, Law, Theory, Gravitation, Matter, Inertia,
Momentum)
Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies (District):
1. What geological, physical, and geographical features support the theory of plate
tectonics?
2a. How do scientists explain the presence of glacial debris in tropical areas?
2b. How does the existence of mountain ranges provide evidence of plate tectonics?
3a. What are the major geological processes that drive plate motion?
3b. How can the climate changes that have occurred in your area over the past 100
years be linked to plate tectonics?
3c. How could plate tectonics contribute to continental build-up, glaciation, and sealevel fluctuation?
4a. What roles did conceptual innovations and geophysical technologies play in
creating the current theory of plate tectonics?
4b. What types of changes to Earth’s landforms might you predict for the future based
on the theory of plate tectonics?
Evidence Outcomes (District):
1. Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation
about the theory of plate tectonics and how it can be used to understand
geological, physical, and geographical features of Earth.
2. Analyze and interpret data on plate tectonics and the geological, physical, and
geographical features of Earth.
3. Understand the role plate tectonics has had with respect to long-term global
changes in Earth’s systems such as continental buildup, glaciations, sea-level
fluctuations, and climate change.
4. Investigate and explain how new conceptual interpretations of data and
innovative geophysical technologies led to the current theory of plate tectonics.
Academic Vocabulary (District):
asthenosphere
basalt
compression
continental crust
continental drift
convection current
convergent boundary
crust
divergent boundary
fault
folding
fossil distribution
geomagnetic reversal
glaciation
granite
hotspot
inner core
lithosphere
mantle
Assessment (District):
1. Use the lab worksheet to assess.
2a.- c. Create and use a rubric for the presentation.
3a.- c. Create and use a rubric for the different fault models.
3d. Use the Phet lab worksheet as assessment.
4. Use the newsletter rubric to assess the current theory of plate tectonics.
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Rubric Website
4. Newsletter Rubric
mid-ocean ridge
Mohorovicic Discontinuity (MOHO Discontinuity)
normal fault
oceanic crust
outer core
Pangea
reverse fault
rock distribution
sea-floor spreading
seismic reflection study
seismogram
seismograph
strike-slip fault
subduction zone
supercontinent
tectonic plate
tension
transform boundary
transform fault
Suggested Activities/Strategies (District):
1. In the Phet Plate Tectonics Simulation, students explore how plates move on the
surface of the earth and learn how to create new mountains, volcanoes, or oceans by
changing temperature, composition, and thickness of plates.
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Phet Plate Tectonics Website
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Plate Tectonics Worksheet
2a. Using the Plate Tectonic Basics link, students collect and present evidence that
Colorado has experienced both a tropical and a glacial period. As part of their
presentation, students must explain why Colorado’s climate varied in such extremes.
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2a. Plate Tectonic Basics
2b. Students work to understand that forces originate in Earth’s inner core and that
tectonic plates move at varying speeds as well as in different directions atop the
athenosphere.
2c. Students use the geologic timeline of the Denver area to better understand the
history of Colorado's climate.
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2c. Colorado Timeline Website
3a. Students examine maps to determine the interrelationships of plate boundaries,
volcanoes, earthquake, and trenches. Students create a working model of each of the
types of faults (or plate boundaries), as well as draw fault lines on a map.
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3a. Map of Trenches and the Ring of Fire
3b. Students use the world seismicity map to create a fault line model.
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3b. Map of World Seismicity
3c. Students use the different fault animations to better understand the different types
of faults.
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3c. Fault Motion Animations
3d. Using the Phet Colorado simulation on Glaciers, students adjust mountain snowfall
and temperature to see glaciers grow and shrink. They will use scientific tools to
measure thickness, velocity, and glacial budget.
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3d. Phet Colorado Glaciers
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3d. Phet Colorado Glaciers Worksheet
Resources/Technology (District):
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Paleogeographic Maps
Ancient Denver Resources
Virtual Earthquake