Science Argumentation Lesson: ”On the Move”

1. Lesson title: Continental drift—“On the Move”

2. Lesson length: 45 minutes

3. Grade level(s)? 6th, 7th and 8th grade

4. Science course (e.g., ninth grade biology, high school physics)? Middle school science

5. Overview:

Using historical evidence, students will examine the theory of continental drift propsed by Alfred Wegener the article “On the Move” and the AEG

An introduction to plate tectonics unit and it comes after structure of the earth and before plate movement.

6.- List which state science standards and indicators are addressed by this lesson.

7. Student Outcomes:

Students will be able to identify the evidence used by Alfred Wegener to formulate his theory of continental drift. They will be able to recognize that this theory is the basis for plate tectonics.

8. Content Overview

Should we accept the theory of continental drift as proposed by Wegener’s theory. Students will utilize all AEG strategies.

9. Instructional plan:

Whole class activity with intervals of think, pair and share.

Key questions: What observations did Wegener use?

Why wasn’t this accepted by the scientific community?

Each student will receive their own handout and a copy of the AEG. We’ll read it as a whole class. Cue: Today we’re going to examine an important historical change in scientific theory when Alfred Wegener proposed a new explanation for how continents move in 1912.

Do: Whole class will complete the AEG sections together with class discussion.

Review: Class discussed the process of thinking about claims, looking at evidence, reasoning and coming to conclusions. Keeping your own copy will give you a reference to use as you work on arguments in the future.

10. Assessment plan

We will project the rubric onto the board and individual students will do the same using their own personal copy of the AEG. At the end of class, I will review individual student AEG forms and rubrics.

11. Safety Plan [Include if there are any safety concerns] This lesson reads an article so there are no safety concerns.

12. Additional teaching resources/extensions [optional, not required]Use Bill Nye’s Greatest Discoveries on plate tectonics clip from United Streaming. ( 5 min)

13. References: Internet article and teacher developed.

14 Appendix: Attach any articles, handouts or lab worksheets or completed AEG.