ED 345 Calvin College Lesson Plan

Teacher: Kristina Wicks

Date: 9/19-20/16
Subject/Topic/ Theme: Science/Geosphere/Pangea and Tectonic Plates

I. Objectives
What is the main focus of this lesson?
This lesson focuses on what the Geosphere looked like when it was one supercontinent, Pangea. Students will find evidence as to
why scientists believe this theory to be true and how the pieces of Pangeas puzzle are where they are now.
How does this lesson tie in to a unit plan?
This lesson tells the backstory of how the continents (pieces of the geosphere) came to be where they are today and why that
happened.
Objectives: Standards: Assessments (formative and summative):
Indicate connections to applicable
national or state standards. If an 1.
objective applies to only certain students
write the name(s) of the student(s) to
whom it applies.
Students will: Next Generation Standards: Formative:
1. Describe why scientists believe 5-ESS2-1 Develop a model using an 1. Students will partake in a whole
the theory of plate tectonics example to describe ways the geosphere, class discussion on why scientists
explains why there used to be a biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere believe the theory of plate
supercontinent, Pangea, and interact. tectonics and how it can explain
now there are seven separate what we see today in our world.
continents. Scott Foresman: 2. Each student will put together a
2. Create map of Pangea with the GK4. Students will know what the theory Pangea puzzle.
separate continent pieces. of plate tectonics is and how it works to 3. Students will compare their
3. Compare supercontinent Pangea create its features and change the surface Pangea puzzle map to a world
puzzle map to seven continent of the Earth. map.
world map.

II. Before you start

Knowledge:
- What geosphere means and examples of what is included in the geosphere
Prerequisite knowledge and skills. - Names of common landforms (ex. Mountain, volcano, ocean)
Skills:
- Use scissors to cut out Pangea map
- Be able to use world map to find patterns (landforms and animal fossils)
Universal Design for Learning Networks/Domains (see UDL Guidelines)
RECOGNITION STRATEGIC AFFECTIVE
Multiple Means of Representation Multiple Means of Expression (Action) Multiple Means of Engagement
Options for Perception (through senses) Options for action/interaction Options for recruiting interest

Feel: Teacher will say landform name
from last lesson and students will respond
with the correct body movement.
Feel: Students will put together a Pangea
puzzle.
See: Students will look as world map and
Pangea map.
Hear: Students will listen to whole class
discussion about Pangea and plate
tectonics.
When teacher says landforms name, Students play landform game with teacher
students will respond with correct body at beginning of class.
motion.
Students put together Pangea puzzle map.
Students will put together their own
Pangea puzzle.
There will be multiple whole class
discussion.
Options for Language/Symbols
Students will have animal symbols and
different color shadings to help them place
the Pangea puzzle together correctly.
Options for Comprehension
Students construct Pangea puzzle in a
hands on way.
Teacher will facilitate whole class
discussion.
Teacher will show example of what
Pangea map and world map to help
students visualize the movement of the
tectonic plates.
Materials-what materials (books,
handouts, etc) do you need for this
lesson and do you have them?
Do you need to set up your
classroom in any special way for
this lesson? If so, describe it.
Options for Expression Options for Sustaining Effort & Persistence
Students create a few more motions to Students will work to construct Pangea
other landforms they are having a hard puzzle based on animal fossil evidence
time remembering. and color shadings.
Students interact in whole group
discussions.
Options for Executive Function (Cognitive Options for Self-Regulation (ability to
Controls including attention, memory, monitor and control own behavior,
inhibitory, language motor/sensory, emotions, or thoughts)
problem solving, planning/organization,
spatial/sequential, social, emotional) Students will need to monitor own Pangea
Puzzle although they can work with a
Students organize and plan where to place partner to talk through ideas.
the continents in the Pangea Puzzle.
Students will be able to work in pairs to
help each other figure out how to put the
Pangea puzzle together.
Students will problem solve how and why
the theory of tectonic plates is believed to
be true.
26 Pangea Maps printed (2 pages)
1 completed Pangea (teacher tool)
7 laminated world maps (1 for teacher, 1 for every two students)
26 Science notebooks
Pencils (student responsibility)
6 glue sticks
Ipadto project
Students will be in groups of 4-5.
III. The Plan
Time Parts Teacher Activities Student Activities
 Motivation
5 min (Opening/ Teacher will write down the six landforms that the students made Students will do motions for each
Introduction/ motions to from the last lesson (bay, plateau, delta, strait, isthmus, landform the teacher calls out.
Engagement) peninsula). Teacher will explain that since students have a quiz on Students will suggest 2-3 other
the 18 landforms from the pre-assessment this Friday, they will landforms they want to create
take the first 5 minutes of science class this week to review them. motions for.
Teacher will call out the landform name and the students will
respond with the correct landform motion. Teacher will ask if there
are 2-3 more landforms that students are having a hard time
remembering that they want to add to their motion list. Teacher
and students will practice any new landform motions. Teacher will
ask students to sit down and listen.

10 Weve been looking at maps a lot in both social studies and Students will share ideas with the
min science class. Im sure you are becoming more familiar with which rest of the class about how
continents go in which hemispheres, how far apart they are from continents got to be how they are
one another, or what shapes they are. But have you ever wondered today.
how the Earths continents got to be where they are today and look
the way they do? Does anyone know what theory scientists believe
is responsible for the location of our continents?

Scientists believe the theory of plate tectonics explains why the Students share ideas.
continents are where they are today. What is plate tectonics?

This is the idea that the Earths crust is made up of thick,

interconnecting pieces called tectonic plates. These tectonic plates
fit together like a puzzle.

Scientists believe that long ago, the Earths continents were all
connected. They called this one, large continent Pangea. Pangea
was surrounded by one humungous ocean.

Although we cannot travel back in time to see what the

supercontinent, Pangea, looked like in person, we can figure out
clues to help us discover what it used to look like.

I have two pieces of paper for you. One has a circle on it with the
symbols for north, south, east, and west. What do you think this
circle is? The circle is meant to be a 2D globe.

On the second sheet of paper, there is a picture of each of the

seven continents. You will cut out each continent and then try to
find out how they would have fit together as the supercontinent,
Pangea.

Teacher will project that paper with the continents on it. How do Students share ideas about shape
you think the symbols on the map could help you figure out where and symbols.
each continent should go? Does anyone else have advice on how to
figure out where each continent should go?

There are symbols for different animals on the continents. For

instance, it looks like there are the same animals on the right side
of South America as there are on the left side of Africa. Also, the
shapes of the continents will fit together like a puzzle. In addition,
you may find it helpful to either look at the map on the board or
take a world map to your desk. By knowing where the continents
are now, you may be able to picture how they could have fit
together in the past.
 You may work together with a partner to complete your Pangea
puzzle. But you do have to make your own Pangea puzzle.

When you think you have them all in the correct place, raise your
hand and I will check you map. If I tell you that your puzzle is
correct, then you will take a glue stick from the teacher table and
glue down each of your continents.

20 Development Teacher will hand out Pangea puzzle to each student. Teacher will Students work on Pangea Puzzle
min walk to each table group asking questions like: together in pairs.
- How do you know these two continents fit together?
- Did you use the symbols or the shape of the continents
more to figure out how each continent fit together?

Teacher will check each students map and then instruct them to Students will glue continents on
glue the continents onto their other piece of paper. Once all map.
students have correctly placed their continents, the teacher will
call the students to attention for a class discussion.

Teacher will ask: Students will share ideas.

- Was this puzzle easy or hard? Why?
- What helped you most to figure out which continent fit
where? Animal symbols? Shape of continents?

What do the animal symbols even stand for? How could scientists
know that plateosaurus was in both North America and
Europe/Asia?

Scientists have found fossils of these animals on the continents.

This evidence leads scientists to believe that the seven continents
used to be one supercontinent called Pangea. Im sure come are
also think the shapes of the continents is another form of evidence
to prove that the continents used to all be one landmass.

What do you suppose the world would be like if plate tectonics Students share that we would still
were not true? We would not have separate continents. We would be living on Pangea, the
still be living on Pangea. If that were true, we would not need supercontinent.
planes to travel to the different continents.

Teacher will tell students to glue their maps in their notebooks. Students put maps in science
notebook or binders.
Closure Tomorrow we will learn about the layers of the Earth and how
5 min they allow the tectonic plates to move.

If there is time, teacher will test each student on one landform Students prove to teacher they
motion before they leave for the next class. know the motion for one landform
word.
Your reflection on the lesson including ideas for improvement for next time:

This lesson took much longer than I anticipated. The landform activity took more than 5 minutes. Although I do think it is
worthwhile to help students remember what these terms mean. Remember to show pre-assessment pictures to help kids
visualize what they mean aside from the spoken definitions and motions.

Need to explain plate tectonics with pictures and words written on the board. Show what some plates look like on laminated
map with marker. Teach kids what each word in the Theory of Plate Tectonics means.

Write instructions for assignment on board beforehand. Students need to be reminded what clues to use and not to glue before
they check with teacher.

Science, Geosphere, Plate Tectonics Outline

Intro:
1. Landform motions
2. How did the Earths continents get to be where they are now?
3. Scientists believe the THEORY OF TECTONIC PLATES
4. Tectonic PlatesEarths crust is make up of thick, interconnecting pieces called plates; these plates are
always moving, rather than being stuck in one spot
5. PANGEA
6. Project PANGEA puzzle
a. How do the symbols help you figure out how the continents fit together?
b. What else is helpful?
c. Use world maps to help
7. Instructions: Teacher will check puzzle before you glue pieces down

Development:
8. Students complete Pangea Puzzles
9. Class discussion
a. What helped you most in figuring out which continents fit together?
b. What do the animal symbols even stand for? These animals are not alive anymore! FOSSILS
c. What would the world be like if plate tectonics were not true?

Conclusion:
10. Students put Pangea puzzle in binders
11. Sneak Peak: Layers of the Earth and how they allow tectonic plates to move