Pangaea and Continental Drift Activity
Name: Date: Period: Evidence Folder: Group Members: Part 1: The Pangaea Puzzle (8 pieces per baggie­if anything gets destroyed you will replace it.) You have been given the continents as they look today. See if you can put them together to make one huge continent, Pangaea. This is what scientists think the Earth used to look like. ​
If the edges don’t fit together perfectly, try matching up the rock types and fossils found on the different continents. After viewing the overhead, answer the following: ● How successful were you in putting the puzzle back together? ● Why do you think the pieces do not match exactly today? Part 2: Read Chapter 1­section 3­Drifting Continents→ ​
Look at all of the pictures, figures and maps! Define the following vocabulary: Continental drift­ Pangaea­ Fossil­ Part 3: Evidence Supporting Continental Drift­You will work in small groups to identify evidence for continental drift. Each group will be responsible to create a digital poster to share with the class. Expectations for digital poster made using LucidPress: ● Title­The piece of evidence (# and name) your group is responsible to explain with this poster. ● The period # and group members names (F and L) ● Clearly answer the questions for your evidence. ● Diagrams/Figures/Pictures are encouraged. They help to make your explanations easier to understand. ● Use all of the space (pictures and text should be bigger than a postage stamp)­plan the space prior to beginning. ● All group members are expected to contribute in positive and meaningful ways, using the materials and resources supplied. ● Digital posters will be on display for all classmates to see and gather information from; ​
self evaluation and peer evaluation will be used to assign a grade. Continental Drift Evidence Gathering Sheet
Name: Date: Period #1­The Shapes Match ▪ What is the continental shelf? ▪
What did scientists in the 1960’s find out about the edges of the continental shelves? ▪
Why is this good evidence for continental drift? ▪
Give an example of this evidence. #2­The Rocks and Mountain Ranges Match ▪ Which mountain ranges might have been connected at one point? (Give 2 examples) ▪
How do scientists know this? ▪
What would the picture look like if the land masses were put back together? ▪
Why is this good evidence for continental drift? #3­The Plant and Animal Fossils Match ▪ What was ​
Mesosaurus​
and why was it important? (include where it was found) ▪
What was ​
Glossopteris ​
and why was it important? (include where it was found? ▪
Why are each of these good pieces of evidence for continental drift? #4­The Wandering Magnetic Pole ▪ How can magnetic minerals in rocks record the position of the magnetic poles through geologic time?
▪
Define paleomagnetism? ▪
Why is this good evidence for continental drift? #5­Glacial Striations ▪ What geologic clues can one look for to determine ancient climates? ▪
What are varves and tillites and how are they created? ▪
What are glacial striations/scratches and how are they caused? ▪
Why is this good evidence for continental drift? #6­Ancient Climates ▪ Define paleoclimatic data. ▪
Which era of geologic time reveals paleoclimatic evidence? ▪
Where was this evidence found? (give specific examples) ▪
How could tropical fossils and plants be found today in places with cold climates? ▪
Why is this good evidence for continental drift? Self Evaluation
Consider each of the following carefully, assign a numeric value for each, based on how you performed this task. If asked, be prepared to defend the score you chose. Was prepared to contribute and participate on in­class work days. Name: Date: Period: 5=superior 4= above average 3=average 2=below average 1=weak Helped to keep the group on task by focusing on what needed to be accomplished, not on socializing. Contributed useful ideas to help answer our questions and complete our digital poster. Encouraged and cooperated with group members, using class time productively and contributing to the good of the group. Overall quality of my portion of the final product (digital poster). Points earned out of possible 25 points: Group Evaluation Sheet­As a group, you will evaluate the usefulness/quality of the digital poster that you viewed. Group # _________
Group # you are evaluating _________ Consider each of the 5=superior following carefully, assign a 4= above average numeric value for each, 3=average based on how you performed 2=below average this task. If asked, be 1=weak prepared to defend the score you chose. Able to answer all evidence questions from digital poster. Visual aids added to understanding the evidence being presented. Overall appearance/presentation/quality of digital poster. Points earned out of possible 5 points: