The movement of tectonic plates
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use evidence to show that the continents have moved and explain how tectonic plate movement happens.
Key learning points
- The theory of continental drift suggests that Earth’s continents were once joined together and later drifted apart.
- Evidence for continental drift includes continents' jigsaw like shape, rock type and fossils matching across continents.
- There are two types of crust; oceanic and continental crust.
- Oceanic crust is dense but thin and continental crust is thicker and less dense.
- Plates move by the processes of slab pull and ridge push.
Keywords
Continent - a large landmass on Earth. There are seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania
Tectonic plate - large sections of the lithosphere that are on the move
Density - the mass of something compared to its volume
Common misconception
South America and the South American plate are the same thing.
South America is a continent (land), whereas the South American plate also includes part of the Atlantic ocean.
Teacher tip
It is possible to model slab pull by using a chain or scarf hanging off the edge of a table. Let the students see how the weight of the item drags the rest of it down off the table.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is Earth's outermost layer called?
Q2.Which layer of Earth is made up of liquid magma?
Q3.What happens during an earthquake?
Q4.Where are most earthquakes and volcanoes found?
Q5.What is the point on Earth's surface directly above the origin of an earthquake called?
Q6.What does the magnitude of an earthquake measure?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a tectonic plate?
Q2.What does the term "density" refer to?
Q3.Are South America and the South American plate the same thing?
Q4.Which of the following is not a continent?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The movement of tectonic plates, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The movement of tectonic plates, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Tectonic hazards: Why is Earth restless? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.