The pre-lab portion of the lesson introduces emerging geologists to the various layers that make up Earth. After completing a sheet on the identification of the layers, class members simulate plate boundaries and their movements with clay, sand, and wax paper. During the post-lab, individuals discover how volcanoes are formed at converging plate boundaries before completing the final worksheet.

Concepts

plate tectonics, earth's inner core, the earth's outer core, the earth's crust, subduction, boundaries, convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, plate boundaries, transform boundaries

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Add the following words to your word wall: converging plates, diverging plates, continental crust, inner core, outer core, mantle, plate tectonics, transform, subduction, and abduction
• Instruct learners to research various plate boundaries and fault lines around the world, and the type of geologic events that occur at them

Classroom Considerations

• Some teacher background preparation may be necessary for more robust instruction
• Provide calculators for calculating the thickness of layers in the pre-lab
• The third in a series of four lessons that make up a unit on the plate tectonics cycle
• Have learners refer to pages 7-9 in the workbook for this portion

Pros

• Both pre-lab and lab come with answer keys
• Hands-on and engaging

Cons

• Background information may be insufficient for some teachers

Common Core

SL.4.1.a SL.4.2