Section I: The Lesson Rationale
This Blog contains my final project and is a site teachers can use to teach tectonic plates in segments of 30-45 minutes. With so much mandated curriculum it is imperative to find niches of time where science lessons like these can be taught, enjoyed, and valued by all stake holders because it is important to hear earth's heartbeat - she definitely has one! "Miguel, did you know that if you lie on the ground and stay very still, you can feel the earth's heart beating?" She bent over and touched the grass. ... She lay down on her stomach and patted the ground next to her. ... She watch Miguel watching her. And then she felt it. Beginning softly. A gentle thumping, repeating itself. Then stronger. She heard it, too. Shoomp. Shoomp. Shoomp. The earth's heartbeat. Just like she had felt it that day with Papa.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Layers of the Earth: Plate Tectonics
Overview
http://mceer.buffalo.edu/connected_teaching/lessons/plateTectonics.html * This lesson explores the basics of plate tectonics, and the layers of the earth.
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
Materials
* Cantaloupe (Engagement Activity)
* Compasses
* Coloring Supplies (Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons)
* Graham Crackers
* 2 Knives (one sharp knife to cut the Cantaloupe, one butter knife to make the PB & J and graham cracker sandwich)
* 11” x 17” paper
* Paper Towels (for clean up)
* Peanut Butter and Jelly
* Pens and Pencils
* Rulers
Objectives
* Students will be able to identify the different properties of each layer of the earth.
* Students will be able to explain in their own words the movement of plates.
National Standards Addressed
Geometry
* Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems.
Measurement
* Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement.
* Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.
Connections
* Recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics.
Representation
* Use representations to model and interpret physical, social, and mathematical phenomena.
Science (Presented by National Research Council in 1996)
Unifying Concepts and Processes
* Change, constancy, and measurement
Physical Science
* Motions and forces.
Earth and Space Science
* Structure of the earth system.
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
* Natural Hazards : A must view link to Teacher’s Domain Earth Quake Prediction
Cultural
*Culturally knowledgeable students are able to engage effectively in learning activities that are based on traditional ways of knowing and learning
Technology (Presented by the International Society for Technology in Education in 1998)
Technology problem-solving and decision-making tool
* Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
* Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.
Section II: The Lesson
Engagement Activity *Read Skeleton Woman to the class and draw an analogy between Earth and the traits of humans
* Gather all students around a table where they can all see.
* Cut a cantaloupe in half, or have done so before class.
* Ask students to identify the number of layers, and to give properties of each (e.g. the center most layer is squishy and like liquid, while the outermost layer is tough and looks like rock).
Instructional Plan
* Hand out 11” by 17” paper to students, along with compasses and rulers.
* Explain that much like the cantaloupe, the earth has many layers, each with it’s own properties.
* Write the following information (chart 1) on the depth of each layer where all students can see it.
Chart 1
Layer Depth from the Earth’s Surface Layer ThicknessCrust 30 km 30 km
Mantle 30-2890 km 2860 km
Outer Core 2890-5150 km 2260 km
Inner Core 5 150-6378 km 1228 km
* As either individuals or small groups have students determine a scale to use so that they can draw a diagram of these layers on their 11” by 17” paper.
* After students are finished drawing the layers, and labeling them accordingly, pass out coloring supplies.
* Relating the layers of the earth back to the layers of the cantaloupe discuss the properties of the layers of the earth. Refer to chart 2 below for more information on this.
Chart 2
Layer Properties for the Properties for the
earth layer cantaloupe layer
Crust Solid surface, with great expanses of water Solid surface, rough
Mantle Solid and liquid (like magma), ranges Solid and liquid, green
in temperature from 1000-5000° C
Outer
Core Liquid, scientists think it’s made of iron, Solid and liquid, orange
ranges in temperature from 5000-6200° C fruit (the part you eat)
Inner
Core Solid, made of Iron and Nickel, ranging Solid, liquid, gas (seedy
in temperature from 6200-6700° C mess that you scoop out)
* Have students take notes on their diagrams, or on the back, to indicate the properties of each layer.
* Set diagrams aside.
* Gather students around a common table so all can see.
* Using graham crackers, peanut butter, and jelly (peanut butter can be removed from this activity if students have peanut allergies), make a sandwich. Be sure to use a thick layer of jelly.
* Holding the sandwich up (layering graham cracker, jelly, peanut butter, then graham cracker), push slightly down on the top graham cracker, sliding it over the jelly.
* Explain the earth has similar motion. On top of the solid and liquid core and mantle sits solid plates. They move on the surface, very slowly, but they move. Sometimes colliding into each other. Much like bumper cars at an amusement park in slow motion.
Concluding:
* Have students discuss and explore other common items with layers, relating these layers to the layers of the earth.
* Consider an orange, an apple, an avocado, a hard-boiled egg, a baseball, a golf ball, or a lacrosse ball.
Evaluation and Assessment
Students will be able to:
* Diagram the layers of the earth.
* Explain the movement of plates.
Extending
* Convert scales from °C to °F, and from kilometer to miles
* Earthquakes
Explore Internet sites for other information on the layers of the earth
E-Resources, Print Materials, and Hands-on Activities
* New York State Regents Reference Tables for Earth Science
* Web Sources for Plate Tectonics, Earth Science, & Seismology Resources
Section III: Resources & Extending Activities
o What's Shakin' : Additional lessons that build upon this one.
o Peek into the Earth : A background read about working in the crust.
º 1964 Alaska Earthquake :Teacher’s Domain video
º Tectonic Plate Movement in Alaska :Teacher’s Domain video
º Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes : Teacher’s Domain video
º Earthquake Prediction : Teacher’s Domain video
Section IV: Books Worth Reading or Buying
Books:
Earthquakes, by Sally Walker (Carolrhoda Books, 1996)
She has wonderful books that children and adults can’t resist.
Journey to the Center of the Earth
A classic read (all here)– captivating, intriguing, and a testimony to the human imagination.
Websites:
www.exploratorium.edu/faultline
A wonderful primary source of earthquakes: Great Shakes, Quake Basics, Damage Control, and Active Zone (activities teachers can reproduce to demonstrate quakes).
Skeleton Woman by Alberto Villoldo
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