4 - ESS2.B - Plate Tectonics - FINAL (WND 1/16/14)

Module: Plate Tectonics

DCI: ESS2.B Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions – The locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, ocean floor structures, earthquakes, and volcanoes occur in patterns. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans. Major mountain chains form inside continents or near their edges. Maps can help locate the different land and water feature areas of Earth.

 PE: 4-ESS2-2 Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.

 [Clarification Statement: Maps can include topographic maps of Earth’s land and ocean floor, as well as maps of the locations of mountains, continental boundaries, volcanoes, and earthquakes.]

The ideas we see in this standard are: 

- locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, ocean floor structures, earthquakes, and volcanoes occur in patterns. 

- most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans

- most mountain chains form inside continents or near their edges

- maps can help locate different land and water features of Earth

In order to address the PE, we need to provide maps that have the different features.  We can ask students to discern any patterns in the locations of the features, or what those regions might have that could be causing the pattern to occur. 

Possible Question Starters: 

" Most earthquakes will occur at which of the following? "

correct answer - a boundary between an ocean and a continent

incorrect answer - the centermost point of a continent

"The Himalayan Mountain Range is plotted on the provided map. The location of the Himalayas is most likely due to which of the following?"

- we will have to create a map

correct answer - interactions of tectonic plates

incorrect answer - human activities