Plate Tectonics: Evidence
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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The theory of continental drift.
How continental drift accounts for the movement of plates. - Standards
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SFUSD Performance Standard 17.3 - (Using graham crackers and frosting to)
explore the possible activities
at tectonic plate boundaries, (e.g., different kinds of mountain building
at colliding plates).
SFUSD Performance Standard 17.4 - Understanding continental drift first as hypothesis and later as empirical law, and be able to describe other evidence that can be fit into the framework of the theory of plate tectonics. They should recognize that major earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters are associated with plate boundaries. Students should understand that convective processes affecting the crust produces convergent and divergent plate boundaries, and they should to locate these major plate boundaries. - Science Probe Text
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Science Probe I Chapter 12.1 provides an introduction to the theory of continental
drift and the evidence used from the sea floor. Chapter 12.3 provides more in-depth information
to explain how the continents and plates move.
Activity Access Description Science Probe I: Activity 12B
Do the Continents Fit Together?
Students receive two different sets of continental shapes, one with just shoreline edges and one with continental shelf edges. They attempt to fit the shapes together to determine what might have happened to the continents in the past. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description On the Move ... Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics NASA
Introduces the concepts of continental drift and plate tectonics. Discusses supporting evidence - and NASA role in plate tectonic investigations. Has on-line activities including a quiz, a word search, and an interactive map. It may be more appropriate for middle school students than for high school students. Plate Puzzle Larry Braile
A teachers guide designed to develop an understanding of the Earth's plates and their distribution. It is based on the USGS map, This Dynamic Planet. In addition to the Web page, a pdf file is available. Voyage Through Time
A Plate Tectonics Flip BookLarry Braile
A teachers guide designed to develop an understanding of the distribution of Earth's plates with time through the construction of a flipbook and some extension activities. More appropriate for middle school than high school. In addition to the Web page, a pdf file is available. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Paleo Map Project Christopher Scotese
View maps of the world during different time periods. Also included are lists of videos, slides, and flip-books for purchase. See also Paleo Map Project Animations