Year 9 : Earth & Space Sciences : Plate Tectonics

Supportive Learning Environment

Teaching Strategies & Learning Experiences
Unit: “Plate Tectonics”
Week 2: The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns
of geological activity and continental movement.
 modelling sea-floor spreading
 recognising the major plates on a world map
 relating the occurrence of earthquakes and
volcanic activity to constructive and destructive
plate boundaries
Resources (notes & questions)
Powerpoint slides or notes (so I can keep track
of where I’m up to – what I’ve covered).
Slides #18 - 23
Adjustments for needs of learners (additional
notes).
Notes for me.
Dot point to touch on (time permitting)

Lesson 3 & 4: “Seafloor Spreading & Prac-tivity”

(100 min)
Learning Phase:
Summary
In this lesson – students will …

Learning Intentions: (students will be able to:-).

1. Explain seafloor spreading
2. Recognise seismic activity occurs along
the global rift system
3. Demonstrate that seismic activity can be
recorded – data collected.

Lesson Plan:
 Settle time and mark roll (5min)
 Recap/Revision –Continental drift, seafloor
spreading, types of boundary etc (5 min)
1. Seafloor spreading.
 Video (4 min) – Bill Nye discusses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyMLlLxbfa4
Harry Hess and Seafloor spreading.
 Run through powerpoint slides (10
Year 9 : Earth & Space Sciences : Plate Tectonics

min)
2. Mars Bar Earth Activity (15 – 20 minutes)
 Activity instructions on Daymap,
questions on powerpoint slide.
3. Seismograph Activity. (15-20 min)
 Construct a seismograph and test it.
 Answer questions
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/
4. Have each group/pair report on what they
have achieved this session.
5. Show current seismic activity (20 min)
 Students can take a look at the usgs https://earthquakes.ga.gov.au/
site.
 Have them try and find Australia’s
equivalent agency
6.

Recap Key points:

o Seafloor spreading – how it
works, this was the mechanism
that Wegener’s Continental Drift
was missing.
o What did the Mars Bar activity
demonstrate?
o Use of seismographs.