Earth Science · Dynamic Earth
Plate Tectonics: A Changing Earth
Use maps and models to connect plate motion with earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, and pathways through the rock cycle.
Teacher workspace
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55 min~10 min prep5 materialsNGSS Middle School (Grades 6–8) Alignment · MS-ESS2-1 · MS-ESS2-2
Lesson Plan
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- I can use a map pattern to support a tectonic explanation.
- I can compare divergent and convergent plate-boundary models.
Key science ideas
- Earth's outer shell is divided into moving tectonic plates.
- Earthquakes and volcanoes often cluster in broad zones near plate boundaries.
- At divergent boundaries, plates move apart and new crust can form.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 6
- 55 min
- ~10 min prep
- MS-ESS2-1 · MS-ESS2-2
- 5 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary