The outermost layer is hard and surrounds the Earth like a shell. I had them repeat the sliding in the opposite direction and listen. Middle School Science Blog Free lesson plans and resources for grades 5-8 by Liz Belasic (Liz LaRosa) plate tectonics ... After this activity, I introduced Plate Tectonics and we discussed the relationship between EQs and tectonic plates. PRIVACY POLICY. What happened? Hot magma flows up where the plates separate, forming large underwater lava flows and creating new seafloor and even volcanic islands. Copyright © 2021 Playdough to Plato™. . This quick and tasty kids’ science activity gives little scientists a hands-on way to explore plate tectonics – the movement of the Earth’s crust that leads to the formation of volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches. This sheet contains instructions to help guide students through the experiment. I handed each of my kids a dish with solid but moveable Cool Whip mantle. What do you think happens if one of the plates (pieces of the earth's crust) moves? Plate Tectonics for Middle School Science Plate tectonics is a theory explaining the structure of the earth’s crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly over the underlying mantle. Middle School ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions Maps of ancient land and water patterns, based on investigations of rocks and fossils, make clear how Earth's plates have moved great distances, collided, and spread apart. To mimic this, I had my kids gently press down on each graham cracker plate while pulling them apart. . These plates fit together like a puzzle surrounding the Earth. Ngss ms ess2 3 plate tectonics worksheet with answer keyworksheet. Students gather evidence to explain the theory of plate tectonics. EVERY student bigger results. Part 2, which focuses on the evidence for tectonic plates, reflects the practice of science in the real world. See more ideas about plate tectonics, earth science, science. The soft graham crackers slowly folded up on each and mountains were formed. Some span thousands of kilometers (miles) on a side. The term tectonics comes from a Greek word meaning “to build.” Tectonic plates are huge moving slabs that together make up Earth’s outer layer. In all, a dozen major plates cover Earth’s surface. Plate Tectonics Convection Theory. Small Grants for Science Teachers A two-page proposal might win $200 to $600 in science supplies for your students. Finally, we used our last graham crackers to make a subduction zone – what happens when a more dense oceanic plate is thrust under a less dense continental plate. For your plate tectonic activity with graham crackers and cool whip is that one cup of cool whip per student? Jared explains how the plates of the earth make volcanoes, earthquakes, and new mountains. It was a great (and yummy!) The lithosphere’s plates float on layer of the mantle called the asthenosphere. Place the graham crackers on opposite sides of the plate. They investigate earthquakes and volcanoes as they examine plans to deposit radioactive wastes in areas of … Covers NGSS Earth Science MS-ESS2-1 and MS-ESS2-2, as well as the NGSS "Developing and Using Models" practice.Students create their own cross-section drawing to represent plate tectonics. I’m so glad you’re here! The first boundary we recreated was a transform boundary. “Some of the mantle oozed up,” replied my 5 year-old. 301 Case Boulevard. Algebra, Pre-Algebra, 7th grade math. Have you ever tried to pick up a puzzle piece? There are seven or eight large tectonic… Read more Feb 21, 2019 - This is an awesome upper elementary/middle school lab that uses graham crackers and cool whip to represent tectonic plates! This type of boundary occurs when two plates grind past each other. Dec 18, 2016 - Explore Annette Colley's board "Plate Tectonics Science Project", followed by 156 people on Pinterest. {If you don’t have Cool Whip on hand you could use any soft food like frosting or peanut butter to mimic the Earth’s hot flowing mantle.} Algebra, Pre-Algebra, 7th grade math. Plate tectonics is the theory describing the earth's crust divided into sections (or plates). “It’s scratchy!” exclaimed my 3 year-old. I asked them to pay close attention to how it felt to slide their tectonic plates against each other. Under these plates is a layer called the mantle. My kiddos and I looked through several geology books explaining the layers of the Earth. I placed them with soggy sides facing each other and then had my kids gently push the two plates together. The Theory of Plate Tectonics. To recreate her beloved Cascade Range, I poked several holes in the less dense continental ridge parallel to the subduction zone. To simplify, I explained that the Earth was a made up of many layers. Slather a considerable amount of marshmallow spread onto a plate. I also made a dish for myself so I could model what each boundary should look like for my kids. Published by Sockmonkey Science. We do science once a week, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday . An illustrated explanation of the theory of convection on tectonic plates. Finally, after all that earth shaking mountain making, the kiddos were ready to dig in. Convergent boundaries are the final type of boundary and they occur when two plates move toward each other. Jul 25, 2017 - Science topics include mitosis and meiosis. See more ideas about science, earth science, science classroom. As pressure builds, the plates finally slip, releasing a jolt of energy that we feel as an earthquake. We do science once a week, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday . Earth’s crust is cracked into big pieces called tectonic plates. A middle school lesson on plate tectonics theory for grades 6-8. lesson in plate tectonics. See more ideas about plate tectonics, earth science, homeschool science. Introduction. Our summer travels led us to several volcanoes, so naturally my kiddos were curious about how they were formed. It’s the perfect combination to our action packed Landform Activity Pack! Divide students into groups of two partners. Get tips on both teaching and learning about plate tectonics with help from a science teacher and writer in this free video series. California’s San Andrea’s fault is a perfect example of a transform boundary. This is related to tectonic plates. Tel: (908) 284-5100, Fax: (908) 284-5144 Math activities include slope, slope-intercept, Pythagorean Theorem. Saved by Tirine Educational posters. On top of the mantle, we placed two graham crackers to represent the cooler, rigid crust. Since my kids are a little young, I simplified the layers of the Earth involved in plate tectonics to crust and mantle. . To get started on your own volcano-based science project, you will want to first have an understanding of how volcanoes form. Plate Tectonics and Middle School Science NGSS MS-ESS2-2 and MS-ESS2-3 Plate Tectonics for Middle School Science Plate tectonics is a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly over the underlying mantle. Once my kids had an idea of how tectonic plates move, it was time to get our hands messy. Plate Tectonics. We were ready to make mountains. For this activity, I grabbed a box of graham crackers, some Cool Whip and a plate. I had the kids gently push their crackers together then slowly slide one up and the other down. Instructional Supports: Plate Tectonics uses scientifically accurate and grade appropriate information in an engaging, authentic experience for middle school students. They also look at how volcanoes and earthquakes are explained by tectonic plate movement, and how engineers use this information. Nov 24, 2016 - Science topics include mitosis and meiosis. This plate tectonics lesson plan can easily be adapted for elementary, secondary, middle school, and university students. Flemington, NJ 08822. Activity Instructions. May 28, 2015 - Browse over 1,920 educational resources created by The STEM Center in the official Teachers Pay Teachers store. Observe what is happening to the marshmallow spread. Here S A Lesson Plan And Student Page On Plate Tectonics Earth Science Middle School Earth Science Lessons Earth And Space Science 2 describe how new seafloor is created 3 illustrate and label an oceanic trench and … Plate Tectonics: Brush, Bump and Pull Experiment. Algebra, Pre-Algebra, 7th grade math. To model when two continental plates collide to form mountains, I quickly dipped one end of each graham cracker in water. The asthenosphere is hotter than the lithosphere and while generally it is a solid, it can be fluid-like if at a hot enough and under enough pressure. (If you don’t have Cool Whip on hand, you could use any soft food like frosting or peanut butter to mimic the Earth’s flowing mantle.). You could hear the plates grind past each other. The process is known as plate tectonics. When two plates move toward each other, they can either collide forming mountains or one plate can slide under the other at the subduction zone. 22-30 (5 weeks) In the Plate Tectonics unit, students explore the structure of the earth - the core, mantle, and crust - and learn how the slow movements of large plates of the earth’s surface help shape its features, including continents and oceans. What happened? Learn about school projects on plate tectonics with help from a science teacher and writer in this free video clip.Expert: Benjamin DeebContact: deebthoughts.blogspot.comBio: Benjamin Deeb has been teaching science, writing, and making web videos for more than three years.Filmmaker: Alfredo RodriguezSeries Description: Plate tectonics can be a complicated topic, but a better understanding of the concept as a whole can help students get a better understanding of the world around them. The entire outer shell of the Earth, known as the lithosphere, is made up of tectonic plates that are constantly moving. School Projects on Plate Tectonics : Plate Tectonics - YouTube Can be edited for younger or older learners. This fun and delicious science activity for kids will show your children how plate tectonics work while allowing them to enjoy a candy bar treat. This is called the crust. Dive deeper into Earth science by grabbing our action packed Landform Activity Pack! Required fields are marked *. This lab allows students to fully understand the three types of plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, and transform) as well as subduction. Start by wathing the Plate Tectonics Video. Plate tectonics is an important idea to grasp in middle school science. For this activity, I grabbed a box of graham crackers, some Cool Whip, and a plate.