Plate Tectonics for Middle School Science

Plate tectonics is a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates which move slowly over the underlying mantle.

Students need engaging experiences with science! Students in 6th through 8th grade really benefit from having engaging labs, high-quality nonfiction text to read, and clever interactive notebook flaps and folds. Recently I was asked how I plan science for older kids. So, here I will share my process.

I was looking at the following science standards for NGSS

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.

MS-ESS2-3.

Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions

I found similar standards for Utah SEEd.

Utah SEEd

Standard 7.2.5

Ask questions and analyze and interpret data about the patterns between plate tectonics and:

(1)The occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes.

(2) Continental and ocean floor features.

(3) The distribution of rocks and fossils.

Standard 7.2.2 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales. Examples of processes that occur at varying time scales could include slow plate motions or rapid landslides. Examples of processes that occur at varying spatial scales could include uplift of a mountain range or deposition of fine sediments.

When I saw these I thought there has got to be a way to make this more engaging, integrate some literacy and language arts and involve the students in critical thinking.

I thought to myself, what are the science concepts related to these standards:

Science Concepts Addressed Include:
Layers of the Earth
Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Convergent Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Mid Ocean Ridges
Seafloor spreading
Subduction
The Continental Margin
Constructing and Explanation Based on Evidence
Research
Making Inferences
Looking at Fossil Evidence
Making an Argument from Evidence
Continent and Ocean Floor Features

I developed some nonfiction passages and aligned it with a CLOSE reading strategy.

I developed some response pages with text-dependent questions and some clever interactive notebook inserts.

I then put these together with some other meaningful activities like QR code Research and writing activities that align with CCSS for Reading informational text and Writing.

Here are two of the resources I have put together. The first one is a large unit on Plate Tectonics.

Plate Tectonics Unit