Lesson 13 Teacher S Guide
Standards
Addressed
Lesson 13: Plate Tectonics I
Overview
Lesson 13 introduces students to geological oceanography by presenting the basic structure of the Earth and the properties of Earth’s primary layers. Students learn the structure and composition of oceanic and continental crust and the theory of plate tectonics. In the activity, students calculate the rate of movement of the Pacific Plate using information about the age of the Hawaiian Islands.
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
1. Describe the basic characteristics of Earth’s three layers: crust, mantle and core
2. Define the lithosphere and asthenosphere
National Science
Education Standards,
Grades 9-12
Unifying concepts and processes Physical science
Earth and space science
Ocean Literacy
Principles
The Earth has one big ocean with many features DCPS, High School
Earth Science
ES.7. Plate tectonics operating over geologic time has altered the features of land, sea and mountains on the Earth’s surface
3. Calculate the rate of movement of the Pacific Plate
Lesson Contents
1. Teaching Lesson 13
a. Introduction
b. Lecture Notes
c. Additional Resources
2. Teacher’s Edition: How Fast Does the Pacific Plate move? 3. Student Activity: How Fast Does the Pacific Plate move? 4. Student Handout
5. Mock Bowl Quiz
1|Page
Teaching Lesson 13
Lesson 13
Lesson Outline1
I. Introduction
Introduce the lesson using a demonstration of Earth’s internal layers. You can use an apple, or any other type of fruit with a thin outer skin, relatively thick center and a core. For example, an avocado, plum or peach would also work2.
1. Show the students the uncut apple. Tell them that the apple is a model that can demonstrate how Earth actually has different layers, though it may appear to be one uniform substance.
Explain that understanding these basic layers will help them understand the geology of the
Earth and its oceans.
2. Make a triangular slice in the apple so that you remove ¼ of the apple all the way down to the core.
Addressed
Lesson 13: Plate Tectonics I
Overview
Lesson 13 introduces students to geological oceanography by presenting the basic structure of the Earth and the properties of Earth’s primary layers. Students learn the structure and composition of oceanic and continental crust and the theory of plate tectonics. In the activity, students calculate the rate of movement of the Pacific Plate using information about the age of the Hawaiian Islands.
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
1. Describe the basic characteristics of Earth’s three layers: crust, mantle and core
2. Define the lithosphere and asthenosphere
National Science
Education Standards,
Grades 9-12
Unifying concepts and processes Physical science
Earth and space science
Ocean Literacy
Principles
The Earth has one big ocean with many features DCPS, High School
Earth Science
ES.7. Plate tectonics operating over geologic time has altered the features of land, sea and mountains on the Earth’s surface
3. Calculate the rate of movement of the Pacific Plate
Lesson Contents
1. Teaching Lesson 13
a. Introduction
b. Lecture Notes
c. Additional Resources
2. Teacher’s Edition: How Fast Does the Pacific Plate move? 3. Student Activity: How Fast Does the Pacific Plate move? 4. Student Handout
5. Mock Bowl Quiz
1|Page
Teaching Lesson 13
Lesson 13
Lesson Outline1
I. Introduction
Introduce the lesson using a demonstration of Earth’s internal layers. You can use an apple, or any other type of fruit with a thin outer skin, relatively thick center and a core. For example, an avocado, plum or peach would also work2.
1. Show the students the uncut apple. Tell them that the apple is a model that can demonstrate how Earth actually has different layers, though it may appear to be one uniform substance.
Explain that understanding these basic layers will help them understand the geology of the
Earth and its oceans.
2. Make a triangular slice in the apple so that you remove ¼ of the apple all the way down to the core.