Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics: Home

You will have 1 week to independently research one or more of the following topics:

Continental Drift

What is the evidence of Continental Drift Theory?

What re the present-day effects of Continental drift?

How is the asthenosphere related to continental drift?

What causes the continental plates to drift?

Is Continental Drift happening today?  What are future effects likely to be?

Sea Floor Spreading

What is sea floor spreading? 

What triggers sea floor spreading?

What are the effects of sea floor spreading?

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

What kinds of crustal plate movements trigger Earthquakes?

How is mountain building related to crustal plate movements?

What are the types of crustal plate boundaries?

What are the effects of each type of crustal plate boundary?

How do crustal plate movements cause volcanoes?

Is Mount Everest growing taller? If so, why?

Standards Addressed:

KS State Standards for Science: Grade 6

4.1. The student will understand that the structure of the earth system is continuously changing due to earth's physical and chemical processes.

4.1.1. The student identifies properties of the solid earth, the oceans and fresh water, and the atmosphere. 80
Suggested Titles for Kansas Science State Standard 4.1.1.

4.1.2. The student models earth's cycles, constructive and destructive processes, and weather systems. 93
Suggested Titles for Kansas Science State Standard 4.1.2.

4.2. The student will understand past and present earth processes and their similarity.

4.2.1. The student understands that earth processes observed today (including movement of lithospheric plates, constructive and destructive forces, and changes in atmospheric conditions) are similar to those that occurred in the past; earth history is also influenced by occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of a comet or asteroid. 43
Suggested Titles for Kansas Science State Standard 4.2.1.

6.3. The student will understand that natural hazards are dynamic examples of earth processes which cause us to evaluate risks.

6.3.1. The student recognizes patterns of natural processes and/or human activities that may cause and/or contribute to natural hazards. 68
Suggested Titles for Kansas Science State Standard 6.3.1.

6.3.2. The student evaluates risks and defines appropriate actions associated with the natural hazard. 68
Suggested Titles for Kansas Science State Standard 6.3.2.

7.2. The student will research contributions to science throughout history.

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Thanks to Darryl Fernandez of St. Stephen's School and Beth Richard from Cabin John Middle School for sharing their libguides on Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. Their pages insipred and contributed to the creation of this page.