Plate Tectonics Unit

Save Over 25% Off this Amazing Plate Tectonics Unit! In this engaging unit, students will investigate and apply knowledge of continental drift and plate tectonics. They will learn how and why tectonic plates move, interact, and ultimately shape our planet.

In this unit on plate tectonics, students explore the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates and how these processes shape our planet’s surface. Beginning with continental drift, this unit highlights evidence like fossils, rock formations, and the discovery of seafloor spreading, which supports the idea that continents were once joined as Pangaea.

Students learn about the three types of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries. Key concepts such as subduction and hot spots are covered, as well as the Ring of Fire. This unit emphasizes how the theory of plate tectonics explains the formation of many of Earth’s geologic features.

 

PLATE TECTONICS UNIT TOPICS

• Alfred Wegener
• Pangaea
• Continental Drift
• Evidence for Continental Drift
• Seafloor Spreading
• Evidence for Seafloor Spreading
• Mid-Ocean Ridges
• Deep Ocean Trenches
• Convection Currents
• Types of Crust
• Subduction
• Tectonic Plates
• Plate Boundaries
• Features that Occur at Plate Boundaries
• Hot Spots
• Ring of Fire

 

This plate tectonics unit follows the 5E instructional method: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation, and facilitates student-led learning with minimal prep time. This unit plan provides you with all the tools you need to teach these topics. Learn more about using the 5E method in my blog here !

No planning and low-prep!

 

INCLUDED PLATE TECTONICS UNIT RESOURCES

Plate Tectonics Unit Plan and Pacing Guide: Big Ideas, Standards, Vocabulary, Objectives, Essential Questions, Enduring Understandings, Pacing Guide, Unit Plan, Editable Templates, and More! Impress your administration and save time with this pre-made comprehensive evolution unit plan!

 

ENGAGE

Plate Tectonics Pre-Test: Engage and Activate prior knowledge and get an idea where your kids are in their grasp of plate tectonics.

Plate Tectonics KWL and Video Activity: Learn what your students know and pique their interests in learning about the fascinating world of plate tectonics. The link to the free YouTube video is linked in the unit plan.

 

EXPLORE

Plate Tectonics Stations Lab: Students complete 8 low-prep and fun stations to explore, learn, and apply new knowledge of plate tectonics.

Plate Tectonics Webquest: Students will use engaging online resources to explore, learn, and apply information on continental drift and plate tectonics. A best-seller!

 

EXPLAIN

Plate Tectonics Presentation, Notes, and Review Game: Clear up misconceptions and deepen your students’ understanding of continental drift, plate tectonics, and the processes that shape the Earth. Available in PDF, PowerPoint, and Google Slides.

 

ELABORATE

Plate Tectonics Lab: Graham Cracker CER Lab: A classic and fun lab with a CER twist. This is a student favorite and it’s also super yummy!

 

EVALUATE

Plate Tectonics Test and Question Bank: Choose from a 130 question question bank or use the already made 40-question Plate Tectonics Summative Assessment.

Plate Tectonics Graphic Organizer: Evaluate your students in a new way by using this plate tectonics graphic organizer as your summative assessment. Great for differentiating to different learning styles and levels.

 

BONUS SUB PLANS OR REMEDIATION

Plate Tectonics Reading Comprehension and Practice Worksheets: This reading comprehension and questions activity will come in handy for a sub day, remediation, or extra practice for your students!

 

NGSS STANDARDS

• HS-ESS1-5: Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.
• HS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
• HS-ESS2-3: Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.
• MS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
• MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
• MS-ESS2-3: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.

 

Check out my blog for a closer look at some of these plate tectonics activities!

 

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