For this topic, I want to create a differentiated lesson plan that allows me to target all types of learners in my classroom (kinesthetic, auditory, visual, etc).
MS.ESS2.3: Evidence of Plate Tectonics
Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions. (Patterns)
Resources: thewonderofscience.com
What causes the surface of the Earth to change?
How does what we see today tell us about the Earth's past?
How can we predict and understand changes to the surface of the Earth?
Students will be discussing these essential questions with small groups during the beginning of the class period.
After some time, as a class, we will come together with our discussions, share our ideas, and eventually come to a consensus that Earth's crust is made of plates that have shifted over millions of years.
As scientists, we need evidence to prove this theory.
Around the classroom, there will be 4 different stations containing different pieces of evidence to support the Plate Tectonics theory. Groups of students will visit each station, be asked to describe the piece of evidence, and give a reason as to why it supports our theory.
The evidence presented at each station will be:
#1: a puzzle of Pangea, students will be asked to assemble the puzzle in a way that allows all of the continents to fit together.
#2: a map of the locations where the plant Glossopteris plant is present as well as a description ( a plant that is located in Australia, Antarctica, India, South Africa, and South America, but the seed of the plant is large and bulky which would prevent it from being swept up with the wind and spread to all of these countries)
#3: A map of the major volcanoes around the world (ring of fire)
#4: A map of a freshwater fossil found within different continents
This lesson may end up taking a day or two, depending on the pace of the students themselves. I would not want to rush each station because I want them to have time to make their own hypotheses and work together to determine what they think is the link this evidence has to the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
Hi Colleen! You have a great goal of wanting to target all types of learners in your classroom. This shows that you really know your students and the ways in which they learn best. Having stations is great for kinesthetic learners because they will be able to get up and walk around the room instead of sitting in their desks for the entire period. Auditory learners will benefit from the small group and whole class discussion. The visual learners in your classroom will appreciate the puzzle and maps at each station. Your students will have fun during this lesson and also learn a lot.
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