Sixth graders explore the causes and effects of earthquakes. They also collect and analyze data in graphs. They also use the Internet to research earthquakes

Students investigate just what a tsunami is, what causes it, how fast it travels, what it looks like, and its devastating effects upon landfall. They read the experience of a former Peace Corps Volunteer who went to Sri Lanka after it...

Students make observations through 3-D visualizations. They explore scientific and geologic processes through the use of 3-D pictures.

Students investigate the differentiation of magma to form different minerals present in a rock. By using the model proposed by Bowen, they determine the depth, temperature, and composition of magma. Students explain why some minerals...

An investigation for students to understand plate tectonics by using models to see how motion and forces act on the plates. Students can use these models to see the connection between Newtonian Laws to Earth materials. Lesson plan...

A suite of lessons focusing on finding the fossil evidence for lithospheric plate tectonics. Inquiry-based exploration of plate tectonics evidence includes fossil distribution, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

With its clickable map, this site provides text and graphics on spreading boundary, converging boundary, subduction zone, transverse boundaries and faults.

This lesson is a writing assignment focussed on the use of data to support the theory of plate tectonics. It includes a scoresheet that was created for a calibrated peer review assignment. The assignment directs students to determine the...

This website provides an explanation of earthquakes in words and pictures, beginning with this lesson on plate tectonics.

A unit on plate tectonics designed for middle school students, this page must be read carefully to find the activities to be done in the class, but it provides a wealth of background for the teacher as well.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers divergent plate boundaries in the ocean and on land.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers divergent plate boundaries in the ocean and on land.

Students investigate how mountains are formed. Concepts include the composition and structure of the Earth's tectonic plates and tectonic plate boundaries, with an emphasis on plate convergence as it relates to mountain formation....

Covers divergent plate boundaries on land.[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers transform plate boundaries on land and in the ocean.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers transform plate boundaries on land and in the ocean.

A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of how mountains are formed. Inquiry-based exploration of mountain building includes the rock cycle, mountain formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, rocks, minerals, and...

A data rich exercise built around four global data maps to help learners discover the processes that occur at plate tectonic boundaries. The lesson is based on the jigsaw concept, mixing the students to work in different groups during...

Student groups work on a assigned hotspot chain in this culminating assignment for a series of activities about hotspots and plate motions. Each group gets to study a seamount trail from around the world and presents their findings to...

A lesson that explains a theory on magma generation at hotspots called the mantle plume theory. The goal of this lesson is to introduce students to a theory that scientists are actively trying to prove or refute. Through this, students...

Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about our dynamic planet. These inquiry-based explorations investigate scientific models, earthquakes and seismic waves, Earth's interior, Earth movements, the lithosphere, plate...

Learn more about earthquakes as well as plate tectonics. Site offers links to current quakings as well as earthquake science, teacher lessons, interactives, and earthquake history.

A lesson collection covering plate tectonics, with some structural geology and planetary science projects. The PDF files include activities, hand outs, maps, and directions for building a simple seismometer and seismograph. Also included...

This lesson plan teaches the concept of plate tectonics. Students will access the United States Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center and plot the longitude latitude and depth of earthquakes on a physiographic chart.