The Sierra Mountains in Nevada and the Tetons in Wyoming originally formed as fault block mountains. In order to visualize these fault blocks, pupils use construction paper to create layers of earth. They cut the paper models and form them into different types of earthquake fault blocks. 

Concepts

fault lines, faults, earthquakes, plate tectonics

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use an online simulator to show the movement on the various faults

Classroom Considerations

• Preparation before the lesson is time consuming; be sure to give yourself enough time to complete
• Requires prior knowledge of each fault type, movement arrows, stress arrows, footwalls, and hanging walls
• Fifth lesson in a series of 20 on how the earth reshapes itself

Pros

• 5E format provides consistency across the series
• Lesson easily adapts to higher or lower ability levels

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.4