Science Re-Focus Lesson
Grade: 8
Goal/Objective(s): 5.03
Directions:
The teacher will begin the lesson by asking the students what they already know about how Earth has physically changed throughout its history. The answers will vary, but students may say that Earth has plates that are constantly moving, which is what creates Earth’s physical features (mountains, valleys, deep sea trenches, etc.).
The teacher will then write the key terms for today’s lesson on the board (Pangaea, lithospheric plates and continental drift). If the students already know the meaning of any of the terms, they can be discussed as a class.
Next, the students will silently read the outline on the Student Handout. They will circle or highlight important terms as they read. When they finish, the teacher will re-read the outline out loud and review the meaning of each bold-faced term.
The students will then complete the overlapping concepts chart on the Student Handout. When they finish, the teacher will review the answers (see Teacher Guide).
Extension: The students will be given a “Pangaea Puzzler” activity. They will work in pairs and complete a chart related to the activity as they work. The teacher will review the answers to the activity when all the students are finished (see Teacher Guide).
Essential learning(s):
How has the distribution of living things changed over time?
Attachments included:
Student Handout Teacher GuideEquipment/Supplies
needed:
Pencil Scissors
Assessment Directions:
The teacher will have students put their heads down on their desks and cover their eyes. She will then read three statements out loud to the class (see Teacher Guide). The students will be instructed to raise their hands if they feel they completely understand the statement being read to them. If students do not raise their hands, the teacher is to assume that the students do not understand that concept.b.
The plates can move several centimeters a year.
III.
Continental drift – the movement of the lithospheric plates.
a.
Continental drift leads to the formation of mountains, valleys and mid-ocean
ridges.
b.
Movement of the plates also causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
IV.
Pangaea – the name given to the large “supercontinent” that was made up of all of
the present-day continents.
a.
Pangaea existed about 250 million years ago and has gradually separated.
V.
Evidence that the plates are moving
a.
Rocks – the types and ages of rocks on the coasts of opposite continents are
the same in some places.
b.
Fossils – the fossils of organisms of the same species can be found on
continents that are separated by an ocean.
c.
Continents – the shapes of the continents fit together like puzzle pieces.
d.
Technology – Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allow us to measure the
movement of the plates.
VI.
Impact of continental drift on living things
a.
The movement of the plates leads to changes in environmental conditions,
which forces a species to adapt or become extinct.
i.
Ways that continental drift affects organisms:
1.
Causes climate changes
2.
Creates or destroys landmasses (and therefore habitats)
Directions - For the overlapping concepts map below, write a definition for each term in
the circle provided. In the space where the circles overlap, write one word that you think
accurately describes the relationship between the three terms.
Continental Drift - Pangaea -
____________________ ___________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
________________________
_______________________
Lithospeheric Plates ‐ _______________
____________________________________
III. Continental drift – the movement of the lithospheric plates.
a. Continental drift leads to the formation of mountains, valleys and mid-ocean ridges. b. Movement of the plates also causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
IV.Pangaea – the name given to the large “supercontinent” that was made up of all of the present-day continents.
a. Pangaea existed about 250 million years ago and has gradually separated.
V. Evidence that the plates are moving
a. Rocks – the types and ages of rocks on the coasts of opposite continents are the same in some places.
b. Fossils – the fossils of organisms of the same species can be found on continents that are separated by an ocean.
c. Continents – the shapes of the continents fit together like puzzle pieces.
d. Technology – Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allow us to measure the movement of the plates.
VI.Impact of continental drift on living things
a. The movement of the plates leads to changes in environmental conditions, which forces a species to adapt or become extinct.
i. Ways that continental drift affects organisms: 1. Causes climate changes
2. Creates or destroys landmasses (and therefore habitats)
Directions - For the overlapping concepts map below, write a definition for each term in
the circle provided. In the space where the circles overlap, write one word that you think
accurately describes the relationship between the three terms.
Continental Drift - Pangaea -
the movement of the the name of the large Earth’s plates. “supercontinent” that was made
of all the present-day continents.
Lithospeheric Plates – large sections
of the Earth’s crust that “float” on the mantle.
drift after every movement of the continents.
Pangaea
North Pole North Pole
Equator
South Pole
Time Elapsed How do you think the organisms on the continents are affected?
Beginning (0 minutes) 1 minute
