Third graders examine plate movements and boundaries with a lab that demonstrates how volcanoes and earthquakes are formed. It presents different types of stresses an object can withstand through a hands-on experiment with clay to demonstrate the three major stresses associated with plate boundaries—converging, diverging, and transform.

Concepts

plate tectonics, earthquakes, plate boundaries, plate movement

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Incorporate vocabulary words onto a word wall; converging, crust, diverging, inner core, outer core, mantle, transform, plate tectonics, fault, stress, and pressure 
• Have individuals write an explanatory paragraph about their myth drawings

Classroom Considerations

• The third in a series of four lessons that make up a unit on the plate tectonics cycle
• Have pupils refer to pages 7-8 in the attached workbook for this portion
• Acquire enough lab materials prior to teaching

Pros

• Post-lab engages learners in creating a myth about how Earth reacts to stress, promoting creativity and application of new-found knowledge
• A workbook for the entire unit is included below

Cons

• Teachers may need additional background information in order to support a more full-bodied lesson

Common Core

SL.3.1.a