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Table of Contents:
Plate Tectonics
Description Page #
Introduction 3
Section 1: Earth’s Interior 4
Earth’s Layers 5
Earth’s Layers Cut-outs 6
Quiz: Earth’s Interior 7
Section 2: Convection in the Mantle 8
Convection Current cut-outs 9
Convection Current Graphic Organizer 10
Convection Current Graphic Organizer – Answer Key 11
Quiz: Convection in the Mantle 12
Section 3: Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading 13
Illustrated Directions for Sea-floor Model 14
Teacher cut-outs – Color 15
Student cut-outs – Black and White 16
Quiz: Convection in the Mantle 17
Section 4: Theory of Plate Tectonics 18
Earth’s Plate Boundaries Table 19
Cut-outs – Color 20
Cut-outs – Gray scale 21
Answer Key Table 22
Quiz: Theory of Plate Tectonics 23
Answer Key - Quiz 24
Contact and Copyright Information 25
Teacher Notes – LARGE PRINT 26-29
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Introduction
If you are new to the idea of using a Science Interactive Notebook in your
classroom, stop by my Nitty Gritty Science shop and download my Intro to
Science Interactive Notebooks tutorial for FREE! In there you will find tips on
how to begin with your students, what materials to have on hand and, most
importantly, how it will enhance your students learning through reflection and
creativity.
Focused Lessons with Differentiated Instruction
The lessons shared on the following pages cover National Science Standards
and meet students’ needs. I have given you the notes that I would give my
students (Right Side – Input Side of Notebook) so you can understand what I’m
having the students focus on when working on their creative assignments (Left
Side – Output Side of Notebook). Each lesson focuses on a Question of the
Day (QOD) represented in red in the top margin of each “Input” page with
student giving answer in red on “Output” page.
Left Side – Output
Instructions for each Output Side are included. This includes cut-outs, foldables
or master copies where applicable. You may find that students work slow at
first, but once groups are organized and students know what is expected from
them, not only will you see more energy focused on the final product, but also
you will be shocked at the level of creativity certain students have in certain
areas.
Mini-Assessments
Mini quizzes will be given for each section so you may monitor student’s level of
understanding. For reproduction purposes, there are two quizzes to a page so
you can cut in half and save on some paper
** NEW – CHECK OUT MY STORE!! **
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Section 1: Earth’s Interior
Description:
Students will create a flap-book of Earth where they will need to stack, color
and describe each of Earth’s layers. In addition, fun little signs are included to
allow students to label continental and oceanic crust. Printables with cut-outs
and a mini-quiz are included.
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Earth’s Layers
Directions: Color the Earth diagram below then cut out, including making a cut
on the inner solid line. Fold along dotted line to reveal the “window” to
showcase the Earth’s layers.
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Directions: Cut out each layer of Earth’s interior and stack in the correct
order. Use a different color to identify each layer then glue each tab under
the “Earth” diagram. Once glued in correct order, label each Earth layer then
describe each layer on the reverse side.
Post these signs in the correct
location on your Earth model to
represent the two types of
Oceanic Continental
crust.
Crust Crust
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Name -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date ---------------------------------------------
Quiz: Earth’s Interior
Identify the layers of the Earth.
A. --------------------------------------------------------------
B. --------------------------------------------------------------
C. --------------------------------------------------------------
D. --------------------------------------------------------------
E. --------------------------------------------------------------
List two types of evidence that geologists have
used to learn about Earth’s interior.
F. --------------------------------------------------------------
G. --------------------------------------------------------------
Name -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date ---------------------------------------------
Quiz: Earth’s Interior
Identify the layers of the Earth.
A. --------------------------------------------------------------
B. --------------------------------------------------------------
C. --------------------------------------------------------------
D. --------------------------------------------------------------
E. --------------------------------------------------------------
List two types of evidence that geologists have
used to learn about Earth’s interior.
F. --------------------------------------------------------------
G. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Section 2: Convection and the Mantle
Description:
This activity is a graphic organizer duo – the first section students
will need to cut out the steps describing the action of convection
currents and place them in the correct order of the corresponding
diagram. The second part of the graphic organizer is to have
students explain, in their own words, the cause and effect of
convection currents and what results because them.
Printables, cut-outs, teacher answer key and a mini-quiz are all
included for this concept.
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Convection Currents
Directions: Cut out the descriptions below and paste each statement next to the letter (A-D)
that is describing the convection current in the diagram at the corresponding letter.
Next complete the graphic organizer by describing the cause and effects of convection
currents in the mantle and the result of these actions. Paste completed page into your
Science Interactive Notebook.
The force of gravity is causing denser material to fall.
Density of mantle material is less than material above it, so the
materials begin to rise.
Core heat causes temperature to rise, therefore decreasing the
density of material
Rising material hits rigid lithosphere and cannot go up any further.
Convection Currents
Directions: Cut out the descriptions below and paste each statement next to the letter (A-D)
that is describing the convection current in the diagram at the corresponding letter.
Next complete the graphic organizer by describing the cause and effects of convection
currents in the mantle and the result of these actions. Paste completed page into your
Science Interactive Notebook.
The force of gravity is causing denser material to fall.
Density of mantle material is less than material above it, so the
materials begin to rise.
Core heat causes temperature to rise, therefore decreasing the
density of material
Rising material hits rigid lithosphere and cannot go up any further.
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GRAPHIC ORGANIZER: CONVECTION CURRENTS
CAUSE EFFECT RESULT
Answer Key
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GRAPHIC ORGANIZER: CONVECTION CURRENTS
Density of mantle material is less than material above it, so the
materials begin to rise.
Rising material hits rigid lithosphere and cannot go up any further.
The force of gravity is causing denser material to fall.
Core heat causes temperature to rise, therefore decreasing the
density of material
CAUSE EFFECT RESULT
Convection currents The convection The result of plates
are caused by currents act as a moving are
Earth’s internal “conveyor belt” earthquakes, volcanic
thermal energy moving the plates of eruptions, and building
causing mantle to the lithosphere of mountains.
heat, expand, and above.
rise. As it gets
closer to crust it
cools, becoming
denser and sinking
forming a current.
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Name __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
Quiz: Convection and the Mantle
Use the diagram and your knowledge of convection currents to help you answer the following questions.
1. Where are convection currents found?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
2. Convection currents are caused by
differences in what two things?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
3. Explain what is happening at each point on the diagram:
A. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
Quiz: Convection and the Mantle
Use the diagram and your knowledge of convection currents to help you answer the following questions.
1. Where are convection currents found?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
2. Convection currents are caused by differences in
what two things?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
3. Explain what is happening at each point on the diagram:
A. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 3: Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading
Description:
Students will build a model of sea-floor
spreading along with labeling actions and
features associated with it. I’ve made it so
that the model can fold up nice and flat in
the students’ interactive notebooks and
have included step-by-step directions along
with pictures to help the activity run
smoothly. You know how I love to save you
time, so I’ve also included a colored version
for your master notebook and a black and
white student printable, with labels, and of
course the mini-quiz.
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Sea-floor Spreading
Directions:
To make the sea floor:
1. Take a full size sheet of paper and fold into eighths. Then fold in
half lengthwise, cutting down the fold – share the other half with a
partner.
2. Where the paper is folded into eighths, cut off the two
bottom folds, now making the paper into sixths.
3. Fold this half lengthwise and find the middle crease. At
the middle crease, mark a line 3 cm long. Mark two more
lines (3 cm) at the creases closest to the ends of the
paper. Cut these lines.
To prepare the “molten” material:
1. Color the striped cut-out having two colors alternating with the stripes.
2. Cut out the striped cut-out along the
dotted lines – you should now have two strips.
To model sea-floor spreading:
1. Place the two colored strips facing each
other and insert them up through the center
slit, making sure the “pull” end comes through
first.
2. Separate the strips and pull each toward the side slits
carefully inserting them in.
3. Glue the “paste tab” at the bottom of each strip to the
back side of the “sea floor” to ensure the strips do not fall
out.
4. Place glue around edges of “sea floor” and paste into
Science Interactive Notebook, making sure to NOT place glue
around slits.
5. Cut out all labels and properly place them around
the Spreading Sea-floor Model making sure to mark
the appropriate features.
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Teacher Guide (color)
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Name __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
Quiz: Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading
Multiple Choice
_______ 1. Who first proposed the theory of continental drift?
a. Hess b. Pangea c. Wegener d. Wilson
_______ 2. All are evidence to support the theory of continental drift EXCEPT
a. land features b. climate change c. fossils d. rainfall
_______ 3. Sea-floor spreads apart at both sides of a _______ as new crust is added.
a. mid-ocean ridge b. rift valley c. trench d. mountain
_______ 4. Rocks on the sea-floor that lie in a pattern, show a record of the reversals of
Earth’s_______.
a. atmospherwe b. magnetic field c. temperature d. diversity
_______ 5. Drilling samples revealed that rock samples taken farther from a mid-ocean ridge are
a. older b. younger c. hotter d. crystal
Name __________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
Quiz: Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading
Multiple Choice
_______ 1. Who first proposed the theory of continental drift?
a. Hess b. Pangea c. Wegener d. Wilson
_______ 2. All are evidence to support the theory of continental drift EXCEPT
a. land features b. climate change c. fossils d. rainfall
_______ 3. Sea-floor spreads apart at both sides of a _______ as new crust is added.
a. mid-ocean ridge b. rift valley c. trench d. mountain
_______ 4. Rocks on the sea-floor that lie in a pattern, show a record of the reversals of
Earth’s_______.
a. atmospherwe b. magnetic field c. temperature d. diversity
_______ 5. Drilling samples revealed that rock samples taken farther from a mid-ocean ridge are
a. older b. younger c. hotter d. crystal
Nitty Gritty Science © 2014 17
Section 4: The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Description:
Students will understand the different plate boundaries when they
complete this informational chart. Students are first asked to
describe each boundary in their own words, then they will need to
cut out diagrams of different boundaries, as well as real-world
examples, and paste them in the appropriate row.
For this concept, I’ve included the diagrams and pictures in both
color and gray-scale for your convenience. A teacher answer key
has also been provided along with a mini-quiz.
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Interactions of Earth’s Plates
Directions: Fill out the chart by completing the first column with a description of each type of plate boundary in your
own words. Next, cut out the pictures of the plate movements and paste them in the appropriate row of each column.
Last, cut out the real-image examples and paste them in the proper row. Paste completed table into your Science
Interactive Notebook.
EARTH’S PLATE BOUNDARIES
PLATE BOUNDARY MOVEMENT OF PLATES EXAMPLES
Transform Boundary
Divergent Boundary
Convergent Boundary
(ocean-to-continent)
Convergent Boundary
(continent-to-continent)
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Plate Movements Examples
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Plate Movements Examples
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Answer Key
Interactions of Earth’s Plates
EARTH’S PLATE BOUNDARIES
PLATE BOUNDARY MOVEMENT OF PLATES EXAMPLES
Transform Boundary
Place where two plates slip
past each other moving in
opposite directions.
Divergent Boundary
Two plates move apart, or
diverge, usually occur at a
mid-ocean ridge.
Convergent Boundary
(ocean-to-continent)
Place where a continental
plate collides with an
oceanic plate; the denser
plate will subduct.
Convergent Boundary
(continent-to-continent)
Two continental plates
collide creating mountain
ranges since plates have
same density.
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Name _____________________________________________________________ Date ______________
Quiz: The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Fill in the table using the information you know of plate boundaries.
Plate Boundary Type of Motion Effect on Crust Feature(s) Formed
1. 4. 6.
______________________ ______________________ _____________________ Mid-ocean ridge,
boundary ______________________ ______________________ sea floor
2. 5. 8.
Mountains are built
______________________ ______________________ ______________________
or subduction
boundary ______________________ ______________________
occurs
3. 7.
______________________ Plates slide past one ______________________
Fault
boundary another. ______________________
Name _____________________________________________________________ Date ______________
Quiz: The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Fill in the table using the information you know of plate boundaries.
Plate Boundary Type of Motion Effect on Crust Feature(s) Formed
1. 4. 6.
______________________ ______________________ _____________________ Mid-ocean ridge,
boundary ______________________ ______________________ sea floor
2. 5. 8.
Mountains are built
______________________ ______________________ ______________________
or subduction
boundary ______________________ ______________________
occurs
3. 7.
______________________ Plates slide past one ______________________
Fault
boundary another. ______________________
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Answer Key
Quiz: Earth’s Interior
A. crust B. upper mantle (lithosphere/asthenosphere) C. lower mantle
D. outer core E. inner core
(students may have F and G in different order) F. rock samples G. seismic waves
Quiz: Convection in the Mantle
1. the mantle
2. temperature and density
3. A. less dense material is heated and begins to rise
B. rising material hits lithosphere and slides, moving plates with it
C. material cools, becoming denser, then begins to fall due to gravity
D. material is heated again by core, lowering the density.
Quiz: Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading
1. C 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. A
Quiz: Theory of Plate Tectonics
1. divergent
2. convergent
3. transform
4. plates move apart
5. plates collide
6. crust pulled apart
7. crust is sheared
8. mountains and volcanoes
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Thank you for your recent download of the new Earth
Science Interactive Notebook series! chapters from the
Life Science Interactive Notebook Series!!
I know this resource will allow you and your students to
have a successful year using Science Interactive
Notebooks and will be a wonderful portfolio to show all
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show pride in their work and be willing to share their notebook entries with you,
their classmates and their families.
Please check out my store for the Physical and Life Science Interactive
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Happy Investigating,
Dr. Erica L Colón
Copyright Information
© 2014 Erica L Colón: Nitty Gritty Science. All rights reserved by the author.
My terms for use for all products available are as follows:
Purchase of this unit entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited
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long as you provide a link back to my store.
Nitty Gritty Science © 2014 25
Question: How have geologists learned about Earth’s interior structure?
Earth’s Interior
Geologists have used two main types of evidence to learn about
Earth’s interior:
1. Direct evidence from rock samples – rocks drilled from deep
inside Earth allow geologist to make inferences about conditions
2. Indirect evidence from seismic waves – seismic waves produced
by earthquakes allow scientists to measure the speed in which
they travel giving clues to the structure of the planet.
Three main layers of Earth vary greatly in size, composition,
temperature and pressure. They are:
«« THE CRUST »»
layer of solid rock that forms Earth’s outer “skin”
includes both dry land and ocean floor
oceanic crust consists mostly of basalt
continental crust, or the crust that forms the continents,
consists mainly of granite
«« THE MANTLE »»
layer of solid, hot rock 40 kilometers beneath the surface
divided into layers:
lithosphere – uppermost part of mantle and the crust for
a ridge layer about 100 kilometers thick
asthenosphere – softer part of mantle below the
lithosphere which is hotter and under increased pressure
lower mantle – solid material extending all the way to
Earth’s core
«« THE CORE »»
made mostly of the metals iron and nickel
consists of two parts:
outer core – layer of molten metal that surrounds inner
core
inner core - dense ball of solid metal
movement of liquid outer core creates Earth’s magnetic field
Nitty Gritty Science © 2014 26
Question: What causes convection currents in Earth’s mantle?
Convection and the Mantle
To explain how heat moves from Earth’s core through the mantle,
you need to know how heat is transferred.
There are three types of heat transfer:
Radiation – the transfer of energy through empty space; has no
direct contact between heat source and an object.
Example: Sunlight warming Earth’s surface
Conduction – heat transfer by direct contact of particles of
matter. Example: Metal spoon heating up in a pot of hot soup.
Convection – transfer of heat by the movement of a heated
fluid (includes liquids and gases).
Heat transfer by convection is caused by differences in temp-
erature and density within a fluid.
Density – measure of how much mass there is in a volume of
a substance.
Example: heating water on a stove – as water on bottom gets hot,
it expands, becomes less dense and rises; when the surface water
starts warming up it becomes denser and moves to bottom
causing a convection current, or the flow that transfers heat
Convection currents flow in the mantle – heat source is the
Earth’s core and from the mantle itself. These currents have
been acting like a conveyor belt moving the lithosphere above for
the past four billion years!
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Question: What two scientists help discover evidence to explain how the
planet looks today.
Continental Drift and Sea-floor Spreading
Alfred Wegener (1910) hypothesized that at one time all the
continents were once joined together in a single landmass, he named
Pangea, and have since drifted apart – now known as continental
drift.
Wegener gathered the following evidence to support his hypothesis:
Evidence from land features such as mountain ranges lining
up on continents when pieced together
Evidence from fossils, or traces of ancient organisms pre-
served in rock, show the same animals and plants occurred on
the now separated land masses
Evidence from climate change where Wegener showed
scratches on rocks make from glaciers in places with much
more mild climates today
Wegener could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the push
or pull of the continents, therefore his hypothesis was rejected…
until Harry Hess (1960) proposed a radical idea suggesting a process
of sea-floor spreading.
Sea-floor spreading – sea floor spreads apart along both sides of a
mid-ocean ridge as new crust is added. Ocean floors move like a
conveyor belt, carrying continents along with them.
Evidence of Hess’s theory of sea-floor spreading included:
Evidence from molten material which looked like pillow-shaped
rocks formed if molten material erupts and hardens quickly
Evidence from magnetic stripes – rocks that lie in a pattern
showing a record of reversals of Earth’s magnetic field
Evidence from drilling samples reveal that the farther from
a ridge the rocks were taken, the older they were
Eventually the ocean floor sinks into deep, underwater canyons
called deep-ocean trenches where subduction takes place which
allows part of the ocean floor to sink back into the mantle, over
tens of millions of years.
Nitty Gritty Science © 2014 28
Question: What are the three types of plate boundaries?
The Theory of Plate Tectonics
J. Tuzo Willson (1965) was a Canadian scientist that proposed the
lithosphere is broken into separate sections called plates.
Wilson combined information from continental drift, sea-floor
spreading and Earth’s plates into a single scientific theory, or a
well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations.
Theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement and
subduction of Earth’s plates.
Theory highlights:
plates float on top of the asthenosphere
convection currents rise in the asthenosphere and spread
out beneath the lithosphere
convection currents cause plates to move, producing
changes in Earth’s surface
changes in Earth’s surface include volcanoes, mountain
ranges and deep ocean trenches
The edges of the plates meet at lines called plate boundaries.
When rocks slip past each other along these boundaries faults,
or breaks in the Earth’s crust occur. Three types of boundaries:
transform boundary – place where two plates slip past each
other, moving in opposite directions (frequent Earthquakes)
divergent boundary – two plates move apart, or diverge; usually
occur at the mid-ocean ridge
rift valley – occurs when a deep valley is formed along a
divergent boundary that develops on land
convergent boundary – place where two plates come together, or
converge, causing a collision
when two plates of oceanic crust collide, or when an
oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, one plate is
subducted beneath the other forming a trench; when two
continental plates collide they form mountains
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