Plate Tectonics and Google

Google docs are a great tool for student collaboration and creation.  If that’s all your using them for, don’t sell yourself short.  Google docs create great reinforcement activities that enhance student learning. In this post we will look at Plate Tectonics Google Sorts.
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To start this lesson sequence, we will look at two important scientists.  Alfred Wegener and Harry Hess.  These gentlemen made significant contributions to the theories of plate tectonics in their own unique way.  Wegener was passionate about the study of polar weather and when he wasn’t traveling to the artic he was pitching his theory how the plates of the Earth move.  He froze to death in the artic and his body can still be found there today (buried under 100 feet of ice).  Middle school students love these details.  He is responsible for the concept of Pangea, one of the most popular supercontinents in history.  

Well after Wegener's death, Harry Hess provided additional support to Wegener’s ideas through the use of SONOAR.   I introduce video clips from the movie The Hunt for Red October.  This classic submarine warfare movie provides great visual and audio clues describing SONAR.  Hess uses it to map the ocean floor.  Armed with data he created the idea of sea floor spreading, which further supported Wegener’s ideas. 
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During this time, students compose incomplete notes.  I prefer to use the Connell Note system.  These have many benefits and helps students organize thoughts and ideas. In addition, there is a quick little summary section at the end which is essential to long term learning.   Incomplete notes provide a valuable adaption for your IEP students who are in your classroom.  Need to challenge your students?  Give them a blank Cornell page to complete during the lesson. ​

After students complete the core content, they log onto Google Classroom (or you can share a link with them).  From there they complete the various Google Sorts and models related to the lesson.  I like to circulate around the room, converse with students and check their understanding.  I will grade these on the sport and have them make corrections.  This is an assignment that I want everyone to get 100 percent since it reinforces a major lesson objective.  These activities are very helpful because students expose misunderstandings as they manipulate the content through these lesson activities.
 
Save yourself time by purchasing these lesson components from my TPT store.  There you will find lesson plants, editable documents, recorded videos and everything else you need to teach these concepts. ​