Teaching sequence

Lesson objective

 In this lesson students engage with early ideas about continental drift and consider how further evidence led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics.

Introduction

Introduce the students to Alfred Wegener and his early theory of continental drift.

Explain that the evidence Wegener used to support his theory included the shape of the continents, similar fossils on different continents, matching rock types and geologic structures and evidence of ancient climate patterns.

Have students complete Wegener’s puzzling evidence exercise.

Core

1. Explain to the students that while Wegener’s idea seems obvious it was not accepted during his lifetime because he could not explain why the continental plates moved. It was only as additional evidence was found that scientists built on Wegener’s idea to develop the theory of plate tectonics.
2. Ask students to work through the learning object Tectonics investigator: Earth's structure and complete Tectonics investigator student sheet 1
3. Discuss what evidence about the Earth’s structure this resource provided.
4. Ask students to work through the learning object Tectonics investigator: magnetic stripes and complete Tectonics investigator student sheet 2
5. Discuss what evidence this resource provided.
6. Ask students to work through the learning object Tectonics investigator: hot spots and complete Tectonics investigator student sheet 3
7. Discuss what evidence this resource provided.

Conclusion

Summarise the main point of the theory of plate tectonics and the evidence that led scientists to accept this theory. Conduct the mantle convection moving plates: the golden syrup/hobnob teacher demonstration.