Discovering Continental Drift introduces students to Alfred Wegener and his continental drift hypothesis. This continental drift hypothesis provides the groundwork for learning about Earth’s dynamic surface and the theory of plate tectonics.
By examining evidence from fossils, rock types, mountain ranges, and climate students follow the development of the hypothesis.
Along the way, students are encouraged to answer essay questions that involve critical thinking skills. The student’s answers are saved (in a notebook) and these entries may be shared.
Quiz questions are used to assess student understanding; quiz answers and scores may also be shared.
To reinforce concepts, an interactive, fictional planet activity simulates the observation of fossils, mountains, and climate to determine how continents were joined before the breakup of a fictional supercontinent.
NGSS:
ESS1.C The History of Planet Earth
ESS2.A Earth Materials and Systems
ESS2.B Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions