Download “I Can” – Plate Tectonics Objectives – Learning Target Analysis

Name______________________________________________Date_______________Per______ST#______
“I Can” – Plate Tectonics Objectives – Learning Target Analysis.
Directions: Rate your ability to meet the requirements of each of the following objectives. One the line out
in front of each objective, write a 1-5, with 5 being “I’m sure I understand this” and a 1 being “I’m just
starting this and need to learn a lot”.
Note: Your answers should be based on a middle-school level of understanding, not that of a college grad
in geology!
I
Objective – note that each objective
CAN has the section number(s) in the
(1-5) book after it, so that you may find a
bit more info to study if you need
help with that topic
E2.2A Describe the Earth’s principal sources
of internal and external energy (radioactive
decay, gravity, solar energy – also
extraterrestrial impacts) – section 6.2.
E2.2C Describe the natural processes in which
heat transfer in the earth occurs by conduction,
convection, and radiation – section 6.2.
E3.1B Explain the relationship between the
rock cycle and plate tectonics theory in regard
to the origins of igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks – section 6.4.
E3.2A Describe the interior of the Earth (in
terms of crust, mantle, inner and outer cores)
and where the magnetic field of the Earth is
generated - section 6.1 (also know how these
items relate to the causes of convergent and
divergent plate boundaries)
E 3.2C Describe the differences between
oceanic and continental crust (including
density, thickness, age, composition – what it’s
made of) – sec 6.1-6.4.
E3.3A Explain how plate tectonics accounts
for the features and processes (sea floor
spreading, mid-ocean ridges, subduction zones,
earthquakes and volcanoes, mountain ranges)
that occur on or near the Earth’s surface. (6.16.4)
E3.3B Explain why tectonic plates move using
the concept of heat flowing through mantle
convection, coupled with the cooling and
sinking of aging ocean plates that results from
their increased density – section 6.2.
E 3.3C Describe the motion history of
geologic features (e.g., plates, Hawaii) using
equations relating rate, time, and distance –
section 6.3.
E3.4A Use the distribution of quakes and
volcanoes to locate and determine the types of
plate boundaries
Mr. C’s comments and/or your “I need help
with . . .”
From our initial work with the layers of the earth foldable,
and “Why the Earth was so Hot” worksheets.
Need to know that motion of plates is due to convection
currents in mantle. Also convection current demo in class.
Need to know which rock types may be found near which
boundaries. We need to go back to the Interactive Rock
Cycle sheet (the one with the online quiz) and finish the data
charts.
We’ve done this over and over again.
Density Lab for Basalt vs Granite is on __________ Nov,
but you should already know which type is denser. Ages of
crust from 4 map lab. Continental crust average thickness is
__________. Oceanic crust avg thickness is _________
Need to learn ridge push and slab pull (see back of this
sheet). Also Classzone animation https://goo.gl/OtuYmt
(capital O in link) & “Discovering Plate Boundaries”
exercise! (http://plateboundary.rice.edu/downloads.html)
Ridge push and slab pull theory comes in handy here, too
(see back of this sheet).
Widening of the Atlantic calculations in future log question
and the “Hot Spot Hawaii” sheet. (pp. 203-205)
“Discovering Plate Boundaries” exercise!
(http://plateboundary.rice.edu/downloads.html)
1. Ridge push and slab pull animation - short version: http://bit.ly/1E6qO2G Long version, same site:
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/eoc/middle_school_t/t_tectonics/p_seafloor_spreading_2.html

Note, you have to read what’s under the pictures and then click on the 1, 2, or 3 and then click the
a, b, or c that comes up in order to read/see the whole animation.
2. Mr. Lima explains it in a 5 minute video. The ridge push and slab pull part starts about 2 minutes into
the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axwdDN6YRvk
3. Located below are the current and old (obsolete) theories of ocean plate movement:
4. Another look at the current theory – heavy solid crust slides downhill from the bulge that is found in the
crust at the midocean ridge (gravity pulls things downhill). Once the plate hits the continent, it subducts
due to being denser than the continental crust and gets pulled toward the center of the earth by gravity.