Our Plate Tectonic Boundaries post is the introduction to our Plate Tectonics Unit Study. Plate Tectonics involves so many different elements, from boundaries to faults, stresses, seismic waves, Pangaea, earthquakes, and volcanoes. In this post, you will find a 28-page slideshow with all of the information needed to complete the other printable activity sheets. We offer a set of worksheets that work like guided notes. There is also a vocabulary sheet, Venn diagram, and videos recommended to help you create a layered lesson of learning. When a teacher can present the same information, but in a myriad of different ways, the more likely it is that a student will learn and retain the new knowledge.
On our Science Curriculum page, you will find labs, unit studies, and products that will help make teaching easy! Some related posts include Earth’s Layers and Volcanoes.
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The Plate Tectonic Boundaries slideshow breaks down the basics of the theory of Plate Tectonics, covering terms like theory, Pangaea, continental drift theory, convection currents, and the three types of plate boundaries. Each plate boundary is broken down into how it moves and what it forms. There are animated clips that show how the plate boundaries move. However, in the slideshow version, you are unable to see this animation. Be aware of this.
This science reader is ideal for those who want the flexibility to send the PDF to their student via email. My older kids have used the PDFs rather than the slideshows since they claim it makes it easier to find the information they are looking for. Some teachers have also claimed that it is helpful when working with students online.
The Plate Tectonic Boundaries Guided Notes follow the slideshow perfectly. Students can use the slideshow or the science reader to fill in the blanks to their guided notes. Not only does the guided notes help to ensure that students are staying attentive while the teacher is presenting new information, but it also affords the student a great set of notes to refer back to.
The vocabulary worksheet is a great follow-up or quiz to the slideshow and guided notes. This is an effective way to help the kids focus on key terms and decipher between the words’ meanings.
Our Pangaea Cut & Paste Puzzle is a hands-on activity that will help students see how the different tectonic plates fit together. Students are encouraged to color each tectonic plate and then paste the labels on them. Afterwards, they are to use the example photo to place the plates together to create a replica of Pangaea, the supercontinent.
The Plate Tectonic Boundaries Flipbook reiterates the information introduced in the slideshow and guided notes. However, it provides a new way to review boundaries. Students will fold the main sheet in half and then cut 3 slits to form the folding pieces. Next, students are asked to draw arrows to show how each boundary moves. Students will cut out the pieces on the second sheet and then paste the correct descriptions on the inside of the flipbook. The larger cut out piece is to be glued to the back of the flipbook.
Over the years, I have seen teachers use graham crackers as manipulatives with icing spread underneath on parchment paper to replicate the boundaries. You can easily look this activity up and find instructions. I’ve never tried this hands-on activity. It wasn’t something I felt was worth the time and money in the class settings I found myself in. I’ve sometimes used blocks. This allows students to replicate the movement of each plate tectonic boundary. Another option that is still less messy than graham crackers is using Play-Doh. With a smaller group of kids, you can keep the cost down, and students can create mountains with convergence, etc.
Watching educational videos about the topic you are studying is an effective way to layer a lesson. These video notes worksheets can be used in countless unit studies. There are two versions of the note-taking sheets. One is for younger kids and one is for older. You will see the difference when you download. There have been times when I assigned videos for students to complete throughout the course of a week and having space for 6 videos can come in handy. Below you will find two videos that I found helpful in our study of plate tectonics.
I am recommending two videos. The first one does a good job at explaining the theory of plate tectonics including convection currents. It further describes the three different types of plate tectonic boundaries. Be aware of millions of years being mentioned. I don’t remember that being an issue, but for those of you who believe in a Young Earth, you will want to be forewarned when watching videos about this topic.
My second recommendation is based on a Christian viewpoint. It explains Pangaea and the separation of the land using scripture. It further explains how Christian scientists use the Bible to answer some geological questions. I find this intriguing since I grew up in public school learning that Pangaea separated over millions of years. It wasn’t until years after I became a Christian that I started questioning many of the beliefs I had been taught in school. I started to look at scientific theories through the lens of the Bible and God. Through studying and research, I now believe that the Earth is thousands of years old and not millions. You can learn more about this topic in our post titled “Young Earth.”
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