Download Classroom Teacher Preparation Earth Science 2: Intro to Tectonics

Classroom Teacher Preparation
Earth Science 2: Intro to Tectonics: Plates, Faults, and Earthquakes
Please use the following to prepare for the next SfS lesson.
Description:
This lesson is an introduction to basic plate tectonics. It includes a review of the earth’s internal structure and the
formation of continents, oceans, and mountain ranges as a result of plate movement. There will be a discussion of the
mechanism of earthquake production as the sudden release of rock under stress. The types of faults will be defined and
the correlation of tectonic plate boundaries with earthquake epicenters will be discussed. The students will hypothesize
about how actual geologic formations were made and will test their hypotheses using sponge and clay models of faults.
Lesson Objectives – SWBAT (“Students Will Be Able To…”):
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Explain that Earth’s tectonic plates are solid rock that float on a semi-liquid layer (lithosphere = crust + solid upper
mantle, float on fluid-like asthenosphere)
Understand that the tectonic plates are continually in motion
Recognize that plate motion forms mountains, continents, and ocean basins
Identify the three main types of faults: Normal, Reverse, and Strike-slip
Understand that plate motion also causes earthquakes and that most earthquakes occur at faults
Preparation:
In order to make sure there is adequate time for the activity, it would be helpful to introduce your students to the following
concepts:
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The earth is made of layers
The crust plus the topmost part of the mantle are solid (the lithosphere)
The layer right under the lithosphere is semi-solid and can flow
Vocabulary:
Introduce these terms:
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Crust – The solid outermost layer of the earth
Mantle – The portion of the earth between the crust and the core; it makes up about 45% of the earth’s interior
o Note that the uppermost part of the mantle is solid, and is also part of the lithosphere
Core – The innermost layers of the earth; it includes the inner and outer core
These terms will be defined in lesson:
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Lithosphere – The rigid, outermost layer of the earth, composed of the crust and the solid upper part of the mantle
Asthenosphere – The semi-solid part of the mantle immediately below the lithosphere
Earthquake – Vibrations in the earth’s crust that result from the sudden release of elastic energy in the crust
Fault – A fracture in rock where the rocks on either side have moved past each other
Tectonic plate – An irregularly-shaped piece of the lithosphere
Science from Scientists
617-314-7773 • [email protected] • www.sciencefromscientists.org
Copyright © 2014 Science from Scientists
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Room Set Up for Activities:
Students will work in groups of 2-3 to answer worksheet questions using sponge and clay models. No special set up or
clean up is required.
Safety:
There are no safety concerns.
Related Modules:
This lesson may be taught as part of a sequence or group of related modules on Earth Science, particularly Geology.
Other modules in this sequence include:
Earth Science 9: Rock Cycle - The three rock types found on Earth (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) are
discussed and their specific characteristics are identified. Students will examine and identify rock samples using a
dichotomous key.
Earth Science 14: Soil Properties - This lesson introduces students to the characteristics and formation of soil. Students
will examine the color, texture, and field capacity of soil, and discuss the importance of soil for plant life.
Engineering 7: Earthquake Resistant Buildings - Students will be introduced to the problem—damage due to seismic
waves—and will build and test different block configurations to determine which model provides the best solution.
For other module sequences and groups, look here: www.sciencefromscientists.org/sequences
Standards Covered:
Please click the following link to our website to review the standards covered by this lesson, listed by state:
http://www.sciencefromscientists.org/standards/
Lessons are matched to both national NGSS and local state standards.
Classroom Post and Activities:
A link to the Follow Up Student activity can be found in the Classroom Post on our website at
sciencefromscientists.org/cohorts. Use the name of your school/cohort and password to log in. Students can build and
test their own homemade seismograph.
Additional Resources:
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Structure of the earth:
https://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_natdis/cub_natdis_lesson02.
xml
Mountain formation (video, 4:00): http://www.teachertube.com/video/how-mountains-are-formed-34049
A study of earthquakes and plate tectonics: http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates3/en/index.shtml
WGBH Videos and Activities: The PBS educational site is a great, free resource for educators but you must create an
account to use the materials. The first time you log in to the PBS Learning Media website you will be asked to create an
account and provide an email and password. Once you have logged in, select “keep me logged in” to avoid having to
repeat the process.
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Earthquakes (video, 4:00):
http://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/idptv11.sci.ess.earthsys.d4kequ/earthquakes/
Science from Scientists
617-314-7773 • [email protected] • www.sciencefromscientists.org
Copyright © 2014 Science from Scientists
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