Teaching Resources—Plate Tectonics

Just the power of weathering, erosion, and deposition is enough to make a cave! Students will explore a virtual scan of Timpanogos Cave to discover evidence of these concepts.

Students are introduced to the study of geology. They will learn about what is hidden beneath the surface of the Earth and how the geology of the Earth gives shape to the landscape. They will learn about the theory of plate tectonics and how the movement of these plates affects the world around us.

Stations are set up around the classroom for teacher to demonstrate and then for students to rotate through in small groups. Video and photos are available of mountains in Glacier NP for students to look at from the Student Resource Guide CD or other source.

Students learn about the Mantle Plume Theory, plate tectonics, and Idaho geography by experimenting with a map of Idaho.

At a field trip site, students examine a limestone layer to find fossils and make clay models to reenact movement along a local fault. Students hike through three rock layers to observe how the characteristics of rocks produce arches.

Students will learn to identify the seven continents of Earth. They will also create their own supercontinent by using continental shape and fossil evidence to fit the continent cutout pieces like a puzzle. They will then be shown maps of reconstructed Pangea and try to recreate it using their cutout pieces.