Continents Adrift: An Introduction to

Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide
Grade Level: 5-8

Curriculum Focus: Science

Lesson Duration: Four class periods

Program Description
Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics Earthquakes,
volcanoes, and mountains have a shared origin and serve to remind us that our planet is
constantly changing. This program begins with German scientist Alfred Wegeners theory that
continents can move (continental drift). It explores the idea that the earths shell is broken into
plates that move (plate tectonics) and examines the causes of landmass splitting. Topics covered
include divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries; mid-ocean ridges and the process of seafloor spreading; subduction zones; faults; and seismic waves. Students will discover how new
shorelines are formed, what makes towering mountains rise higher still, and why earthquakes and
volcanoes will continue to shape our planet.

Discussion Questions

What evidence did Alfred Wegener offer to support his theory of continental drift?

What evidence did exploration of the ocean floor reveal to further support Wegeners theory?

How does the movement of tectonic plates occur?

What are the three types of tectonic plate movement? What changes in the surface of the earth
might each of these cause?

Discuss the differences between the volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands and those
bordering the Pacific plate in the Ring of Fire.

Lesson Plan

Student Objectives

Understand the genesis of the theory of continental drift.

Explore the processes by which continental drift occurs.

Examine the types of tectonic plate movement and plate boundaries.

Establish a connection between plate movement and geologic events (earthquakes, volcanoes,
and mountain building).

Prepare a written report that demonstrates an understanding of plate tectonics and the
relationship between plate movement and geologic events.

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide

Materials

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics video and VCR, or DVD
and DVD player, or access to the program in downloadable or streaming format online

Computer with Internet access

Print resources about plate tectonics, earthquakes, and the Ring of Fire.

Procedures
1. Prior to viewing the program, ask students the following about the region where they live: Do
you know if there have been any earthquakes in this area? Do you think an earthquake is likely
to occur in the future? Why or why not? Are there signs of past volcanic activity in the area? If
so, where? Do you think future volcanic activity is likely? Why or why not? Depending on
whether or not there are mountains in the region, ask students to suggest reasons for their
presence or absence. Earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation all have a common
cause. What might that be?
2. After viewing the program, ask students to discuss what they learned about plate tectonics.
Who first proposed the theory? What does the theory state? What scientific evidence supports
the theory? How do plate movements affect geological events on the earths surface? Are
students aware of any areas of the earth that are particularly affected by plate movements
today?
3. Ask students to research the major tectonic plates of the world using print or Web resources. In
a follow-up class discussion, have students answer the following questions: What are the names
of the major tectonic plates? Which plate carries the United States? Which plates are adjacent to
that plate and could have an effect on it?
The Web sites below are a good starting point for online research:

Extreme Science: A Lesson in Plate Tectonics

http://www.extremescience.com/PlateTectonicsmap.htm

Major Tectonic Plates of the World

http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/plates.html

4. Ask students to visit the Web page below, or print out a copy of the page for class discussion:
Earthquake Hazards Program: The Top Earthquake States
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/states/top_states.html

Based on information presented on the Web site, have student answer the following: Which
state experiences the most earthquakes? Which state comes in second? Which states experience
the fewest earthquakes? Which states experience none? How many earthquakes were recorded
in your state? What is the relationship between plate tectonics and earthquakes?

Published by Discovery Education. 2005. All rights reserved.

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide

5. Using print and Web resources, have students research the Ring of Fire in preparation for a
general class discussion. These Web sites offer good information:

The Earths Ring of Fire

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/136248.stm

Savage Earth
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/

USGS: Active Volcanoes, Plate Tectonics, and the Ring of Fire

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PlateTectonics/Maps/map_plate_tectonics_world.html

Where is the Ring of Fire? Why is it called the Ring of Fire? What geologic events occur here
more frequently than any other place on Earth? Why? How is this geologic activity related to
plate tectonics?
6. Ask students to visit the following Web site and read the short article Why Should Continental
Drift Matter to Me? (or provide printed copies for students to read):
http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/pangaea/conclusion.html

Why does the shape of the earths oceans and continents continue to change? What is
happening to the Atlantic Ocean? The Pacific? What continent will eventually connect with
Europe? Why will the Himalayas increase in height? In what direction is the west coast of the
United States (specifically California) moving? About how long will it take for California to
collide with Alaska? In 200 million years or so, what continent will be within easy reach of our
Pacific coast?
7. Ask students to imagine that they are scientists who must provide support for their theory of
plate tectonics. In a written report, have them summarize the supporting evidence they have
found through fossil evidence as well as exploration of the ocean floor and the Ring of Fire
region. Encourage students to supplement reports with sketches, drawings, maps, and the like.
8. In addition to or as an alternative to Procedure #7, have students prepare and present a
report/demonstration that describes and illustrates one type of tectonic plate movement.

Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students work during this lesson.

3 points: Students conducted all required research and gathered the requested information;
were attentive and highly engaged in class discussions; prepared a well-written report
and/or oral presentation that demonstrated clear understanding of the topic.

2 points: Students conducted most of the required research and gathered sufficient
information to engage in class discussions; participated in class discussions; prepared a
written report and/or oral presentation that demonstrated adequate understanding of the
topic.

Published by Discovery Education. 2005. All rights reserved.

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide

1 point: Students conducted less than half of the required research, gathering insufficient
information for class discussions; participated minimally in class discussions; prepared an
inadequate report and/or oral presentation.

Vocabulary
continent
Definition: One of the main landmasses of the globe, usually counted as seven in number
(Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica)
Context: The continent of North America is drifting away from the continent of Africa.
continental drift
Definition: The theory governing movement of continents which explains the formation,
alteration, and extremely slow movement of the continents across the earths crust
Context: German scientist Alfred Wegener first proposed the theory of continental drift.
fault
Definition: A crack in the earths crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect
to the other
Context: The grinding of plates along convergent boundaries creates cracks or faults.
lithosphere
Definition: The solid part of the earth consisting of the crust and outer mantle
Context: The lithosphere is brittle enough at some locations to fracture and produce
earthquakes.
magma
Definition: The hot, liquefied matter beneath the earths surface that erupts from volcanoes and
cools to produce igneous rock
Context: As plates along the mid-ocean ridge drift apart, , magma wells up to fill the gap.
mid-ocean ridge
Definition: Any of several seismically active submarine mountain ranges that extend through the
Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific Oceans, each hypothesized to be the locus of sea-floor
spreading
Context: The mid-ocean ridge represents a divergent boundary, an area where two plates are
moving apart.

Published by Discovery Education. 2005. All rights reserved.

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide

Pangaea
Definition: A hypothetical continent including all the landmass of the earth prior to the Triassic
period when it split into Laurasia and Gondwanaland
Context: Alfred Wegener first theorized that continents had been joined in a single
supercontinent he called Pangaea.
plate
Definition: Any of the segments of the earths crust that move in relation to one another as
defined by the theory of plate tectonics
Context: The United States sits on the North American plate.
plate tectonics
Definition: A theory that ascribes continental drift, volcanic and seismic activity, and the
formation of mountain belts to moving plates of the earths crust supported on the less rigid
material of the mantle
Context: After many years of scientific investigation, Wegeners theory of continental drift
evolved into plate tectonics.
sea-floor spreading
Definition: In the theory of plate tectonics, the process by which new oceanic crust is formed by
the upwelling of magma at mid-ocean ridges, resulting in the continuous lateral (sideways)
displacement of existing oceanic crust
Context: Due to sea-floor spreading, Africa and North America are slowly being pushed apart.
subduction
Definition: A geological process in which one edge of a crustal plate is forced sideways and
downward into the mantle below another plate
Context: Subduction occurs at convergent boundaries when one plate is heavier than the other.

Academic Standards
National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences provides guidelines for teaching science in grades K-12 to
promote scientific literacy. To view the standards, visit this Web site:
http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/overview.html#content

This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:

Physical Science: Motions and forces

Earth and Space Science: Earths history

Published by Discovery Education. 2005. All rights reserved.

Continents Adrift: An Introduction to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Teachers Guide

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)

McRELs Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education
addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit http://www.mcrel.org/.
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:

ScienceEarth and Space Sciences: Understands Earths composition and structure

SciencePhysical Sciences: Understands forces and motion

Language ArtsViewing: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret
visual media

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Benchmarks for science literacy, developed by the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS), state what all students should know and be able to do in science, mathematics, and
technology by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12. To view the benchmarks online, go to
http://www.project2061.org/tools/benchol/bolintro.htm

This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:

The Physical Setting: Processes that shape the earth

National Council for Geographic Education

The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) provides 18 national geography standards
that the geographically informed person knows and understands. To view the standards online, go
to http://www.ncge.org/publications/tutorial/standards/
This lesson plan addresses the following NCGE standards:

Physical Systems: The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earths surface

Environment and Society: How physical systems affect human systems

Support Materials
Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools
offered on the DiscoverySchool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a
Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit:

http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html

Credit
Patricia A. Peirson, freelance writer; former elementary school and adult ESL educator

Published by Discovery Education. 2005. All rights reserved.