Computer and projector, Mobile devices for students
Activity Description
Source: Breakup of Pangaea (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
In this activity, students explore the Continental Divide: The Breakup of Pangaea through an interactive addressing the Continental Puzzle, Fossils, More Fossils, Tilite, and the Andean Mountains. Students work in groups and then report their findings to the class. This activity is best used to enhance classroom instruction and allows students to see how the continents were formed and what led scientists to realize this.
This site is part of the Exploratorium Museum. There are hands-on activities, articles, videos and, all about the earth. Here are some of the materials available: seismic slinky, people of the Arctic, Tundra and Permafrost, Continental Divide, and Greenhouse Gases.
Preparation
Make sure that the site is not blocked at your school and that computers are able to view animation.
Review the site and determine which topics students will explore.
Place a link on classroom computers.
Teacher Tips
As you drag the red arrow through the timeline, you can see the continents moving apart.
Demonstrate how the timeline works before students begin exploring.
Remind students to drag the red arrow through the timeline to observe continental movement.
Assign specific investigation questions to keep groups focused.
Encourage students to support all claims with evidence from the interactive.
For lower-level learners, provide guided note-taking sheets and vocabulary support.
More Ways
Use the animation to show the division of the continents as part of your classroom instruction.
Map Challenge Have students cut out continent shapes and attempt to reconstruct Pangaea.
Modern Connections Investigate how earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics continue to shape Earth's surface today.
Research Activity Students research Alfred Wegener and explain how his theory of continental drift changed scientific understanding of Earth.
Program Areas
ASE: High School Diploma
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Continental Puzzle Display a world map.
Ask students:
Do any continents look like they could fit together?
Why might South America and Africa appear to match?
How do scientists know continents have moved over time?
Students discuss with a partner, then share their ideas with the class.
Quick Poll Ask:
"Do you think Earth's continents have always been in the same location?"
Students vote:
Yes
No
Not sure
Record responses for later discussion.
Introduction
Background Information
Explain that over 200 million years ago, Earth's continents were joined together in one giant landmass called Pangaea.
Scientists developed the theory of continental drift after noticing:
Similar fossils on different continents
Matching rock formations
Connected mountain ranges
The puzzle-like fit of continents
Introduce key vocabulary:
Pangaea
Continental Drift
Fossil
Geology
Tectonic Plate
Essential Question
What evidence convinced scientists that the continents were once connected?
CC BY-SA:This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.
View Conditions
https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/use-policy
View AI Reference
AI was used to rewrite this activity in the WIPPEA format
