1. Plate Tectonics
How Land Moves and Builds

2. Lesson Goal
I will explain plate tectonic
theory including uplift,
volcanoes and earthquakes. I
will demonstrate knowledge
in my science notebook with
definitions, illustrations, and
question responses.

3. Our Changing Earth
So far, we have learned some ways
the Earth changes naturally:
Weathering
Water Erosion
Wind Erosion
Extreme Weather

4. Our Changing Earth
This week, we will learn another way the
Earth changes naturally:
Plate Tectonics
Let’s add this topic to our notebook
(Don’t forget the Table of Contents)

5. Plate Tectonics
Let’s start with some new science words
to add to our notebook:
Write Vocabulary under the title
Plate Tectonics, where we will be
adding some new words as go

6. Core:
the solid rock, very hot center
of the Earth

7. Mantle:
the layer of hot rock beneath
Earth’s surface

8. Crust:
the outside, hard layer of the
Earth

9. Diagram
Draw the diagram in your notebook. Be sure to
label the parts we learned.

10. Inside the Earth 1

11. Inside the Earth 2

12. Inside the Earth
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your table group
On your note card, answer:
1. On which layer does erosion and
weathering occur on Earth?

13. I wonder how Earth’s layers relate
to plate tectonics?
Notes
 Earth’s crust is broken into pieces,
which “float” on the mantle layer
 These pieces, called plates, are always
moving, but very slowly
 The plates move apart, collide into one
another, and slide against other plates
We’re going to need more vocabulary words

14. Magma:
melted rock
found between
the crust and
mantle

15. Tectonic Plates:
massive pieces of rock under
the land that fit together like a
giant puzzle

16. Continental Drift:
when tectonic plates move,
causing Earth’s continents to
move with them

17. Plate Tectonics

18. Continental Drift
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your table group
On your note card, answer:
2. What was Pangea?

19. Continental Drift
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your table group
On your note card, answer:
3. What caused Pangea to break
apart?

20. I wonder why this is important to
Earth’s surface?
Notes
 When tectonic plates collide, it creates
mountains and volcanoes
 When tectonic plates move apart,
ocean valleys are made
 When tectonic plates slide against each
other, earthquakes happen
We’re going to need more vocabulary words

21. Fault:
the place where
two plates touch

22. Uplift:
when plates collide and one is
pushed upward, creating a
mountain

23. Folding:
when a plate is
squished
between other
plates and
pushes up to
form a mountain

24. Mountains

25. Inside the Earth
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your table group
On your note card, answer:
4. Name two ways mountains are
created with plate tectonics

26. Lava:
when magma
reaches the
Earth’s surface

27. Volcano:
a mountain
formed by
cooled lava
from Earth’s
mantle

28. Volcanoes

29. Diagram
Draw the diagram in your notebook. Be sure to
label the parts.

31. Earthquake:
when energy in the Earth
causes plates to shift
quickly

32. Epicenter:
the place
where an
earthquake
began

33. Magnitude:
how powerful
an earthquake
is

34. Earthquakes

35. Plate Tectonics
Check for Understanding
Discuss with your table group
On your note card, answer:
5. Name 3 ways plate tectonics
creates landforms on Earth.

36. Magic School Bus - Volcanoes

37. Tsunami:
A huge wave
caused by an
underwater
earthquake or
volcano

38. Tsunamis

39. Volcanic Island:
An island
created by the
continual
eruption of a
volcano

40. Volcanic Islands

41. Types of Volcanoes

42. Review with Final Quiz

43. Lesson Goal
I will explain plate tectonic
theory including uplift,
volcanoes and earthquakes.
I will demonstrate knowledge
in my science notebook with
definitions, illustrations, and
question responses.

44. Exit Ticket
I will explain ______
____________ theory
including ________,
_________ and
_____________.