Each cell, under a specific grade level contains 3 lesson plans and student worksheets per week.  Multimedia activities, web links, and dictionaries can also be found.  Lesson plans increase in difficulty through the grades.  Each grade level builds knowledge in a logical sequence. When printing directly from the Internet Explorer, the pages have to be set up before printing.  Click here for instructions. Printable version and workbooks can be downloaded by clicking here. Printable version of the below Scope and Sequence click here.




  K 1 2 3 4 5 6
Volcanoes
(1 week)		 Volcanoes Produce Rocks Volcanoes have Definite Shapes Products of Volcanoes Creating Rocks from Lava 3 Basic Types of Volcanoes Volcanoes produce Different Rocks Location of Volcanoes
Earthquakes
(1 week)		 Shaking during an Earthquake Earthquakes Release Energy Earthquake Faults Seismic Waves cause Damage Measuring Earthquake Intensities  Wave Movements and Seismograms Dividing the Earth by Waves
Plate Tectonics
(1 week)		 Continents and Oceans Moving Continents  Evidence from Continents Pressure in the Earth Diverging, Converging, Transform Boundaries Crustal Movement Definition of Plate Boundaries
Hazards
(1 week)		 Earthquakes and Volcanoes cause Damage Volcanic Eruptions Where do you go for Help? Historical Damage (Volcanoes) Damage during Earthquakes Mudslides and Volcanoes "Earthquake Proof" Structures

Overview and Acknowledgments

To look at components of Curriculum Materials, go to the Catalog 

Return to Elementary

Plate Tectonics Cycle at a Glance

In the Plate Tectonic Cycle, students learn about the Earth's dynamics as it spins on its axis, revolving around the Sun. The Earth is restless inside, as it tries to cool its interior. Material inside the Earth become viscous and flow in certain areas. Movement within the Earth's interior is reflected on the outside crust. Convection currents inside the mantle (area between the crust and the outer core) create 2 types of crustal movements. When convections currents come together, convergent plate boundaries (earthquakes) are formed on the Earth's crust. When the convection currents pull the crust apart in two different directions divergent plate boundaries (volcanoes and earthquakes) are formed. A consequence of the Earth's surface moving faster along the equator than at the poles creates tension which in part forms transform boundaries. 

In the Classroom

Hands-on activities teach students how scientists investigate the Earth through earthquakes and volcanoes. They learn to challenge and think about different theories. Learning about how to cope with the disasters caused by plate tectonics is also emphasized.