Middle School Earth science 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. The entire standard will have to be covered in multiple class periods, This lesson will be part one in the series. Exported from: Slideplayer.com (2018) NGSS Summit Essential Questions
Does the Earth move?
What evidence is there to support that the Earth moves? What is the Continental drift theory? Instructional Objectives:
Students will analyze and interpret the fossil types on different continents, and the shape of the continents to provide evidence of the past plate motions. At the end of the lesson students will be able to demonstrate that they understand the Earth does move and state evidence to support this conclusion. Students will understand how important evidence is to scientific findings. Scientific knowledge is tentative. Introduction:
Inquire about students prior knowledge by asking if they have ever heard about The Continental Drift Theory and introduce the super continent Pangea. I will write down on the board the prior knowledge the students have on the topic.
Image exported from: Google images(2018. Group activity
In small groups students will assemble two different models of Pangea.
How the activity applies to the standard: The students map ancient land (Pangea) to make clear how the Earths plates have moved great distances since the time the supercontinent existed. This will give students a chance to analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and continental shapes, to provide evidence of the past plate motions. Observations/ Importance of Evidence
After I will ask students to take a minute to make some observations about the two different models they assembled. In a whole group discussion students will ask the students about the observations they made. (For formative assessment) I will ask the students if the model of Pangea with more evidence placed on the continents was easier to put together, if they think the information on the continents was important for the correct assemblage of Pangea and the essential question: Does the Earth move? Video
To differentiate the lesson and give students a visual representation of
what was previously discussed. This video will introduce plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions. This video partially covers the MS-ESS2-3 standard.
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.plateintro/ plate-tectonics-an-introduction/?#.Wp1zSExFxjo Video was funded by NSF PowerPoint Presentation
Differentiates the lesson
Covers the topic in more depth Covers concepts in more detail Incorperates NOS by : Emphasizing that scientific knowledge is tentative and in light of new evidence what we know now may be subject to change. Summative Assessment
Written reflection Short quiz Differentiation of the lesson
Video Kinesthetic activity Small group pairings (Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development) Multimedia PowerPoint presentation Whole group discussion Materials needed for lesson:
Computer Cut out continents Paper for reflections Quiz sheet Dry erase/ chalk board Resources
