Objectives:
- Define and describe the main layers of the Earth
- Create an informational diagram of the Earth’s layers
- Explain continental drift
- Define the 4 types of plate movement
- Animate one plate movement using Flash Animation
Layers of the Earth
Tasks:
1. Gather information about the layers of the Earth (Use the resources linked below). A good researcher uses multiple sources of information, so get information from all three sources. AND, a good researcher takes notes that include key facts and paraphrased information, but does not copy and paste someone else's exact sentences. A good researcher may even find additional resources in order to deepen his/her understanding of the topic.
2. Organize your facts in this note form.
3. Make a diagram in Fireworks to teach others about the layers of the Earth. Follow these guidelines:
• Canvas size: 11 in X 8 in. Resolution: 72.
• Include a title. For instance: "Layers of the Earth"
• Make each layer a distinct color or "fill effect".
• Label each layer.
• Label the thickness, or distance from center (in miles) of each layer.
• Include at least two additional facts about each layer.
• You may add additional images, textures, and design elements to make your diagram pop!
• Check that color contrast, spacing, text size and font allow for easy reading.
Resources:
Continental Drift
Did you know that our planet is changing every day? Watch these movies to learn more about what these changes look like.
Did you know that our planet is changing every day? Watch these movies to learn more about what these changes look like.
Tasks:
1. See how scientists at the University of Berkeley use an animated diagram to show how continents may have moved over the past few million years. Check it out.
2. Now it's your turn! Follow the steps listed in the Continental Drift Lab to create two diagrams in which you'll get to rearrange the continents in two very different ways.
1. See how scientists at the University of Berkeley use an animated diagram to show how continents may have moved over the past few million years. Check it out.
2. Now it's your turn! Follow the steps listed in the Continental Drift Lab to create two diagrams in which you'll get to rearrange the continents in two very different ways.
Plate Tectonics
Now that you know about the layers of the Earth and the theory of continental drift, it's important to understand the different ways plates move. The 4 ways the Earth's continental plates move are:
Now that you know about the layers of the Earth and the theory of continental drift, it's important to understand the different ways plates move. The 4 ways the Earth's continental plates move are:
- Down: Subduction/Sinking
- Up: Folding/Collision
- Apart: Sea Floor Spreading
- Sideways: Sliding/Slipping
- Go to the following sites to read about, and see images and animations showing, the 4 different ways that plates move.
- Dive and Discover - Plate Tectonics
- Enchanted Learning - All About Plate Tectonics (scroll down the page to find helpful animations)
- Read the information at each site and then complete the Plate On The Move Guide.
- Use Flash to make your own animation of one of the plate movements. Label each diagram with arrows and key terms as needed.