Students have a hard time exploring the concept of plate tectonics due to the fact that it is abstract idea in our part of the country. Oklahoma does have earthquakes but very few are felt anywhere near our area. My classes have lab at least once a week in which we explore the week's concepts.
I have traditional students that tend to struggle with many subjects, especially science.
The students enjoy the labs and learn much better when they can see the topic in action. This is also the first time in three years that they have a standardized test in Science so we have to review most of the previous years ideas and lessons. My school is a true Jr. High with just 7th and 8th graders but a very eclectic mix of students. We have the special ed program for the district so in my classes I can have a huge range of capabilities in just one period. Everyone learns when they have models to work with and I can adjust the models and directions to meet every students needs much better than using the book or notes.
My Project
The students will be able to demonstrate the different types of tectonic plates and boundaries as they 'build' them and then apply pressure to them. The students can add layers of colored sand and demonstrate earthquakes and also how the different types of boundaries move. I have little monopoly houses that we can add to show movement on the crust. This will then be expanded into current types (convection vs conduction) and then into catastrophic events. Volcanoes, new crust formation and old crust formation will also be included in this unit.
Plate tectonics and boundaries are a low area on our testing.
Any new way to teach the unit would be a great help. If the students are successful on the test then they will be much more successful in high school. That feeling of success cannot be taken away from the students and provides them with a confidence that will make them much more successful in school.
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