Today is rung 3 of 4 on this topic
Plate tectonics and Earth's history
Can do: Explains plate movement, the evidence for it, and how rock layers record time.
Why it matters
It's a superb case study in how a rejected theory won on evidence — the history of the idea teaches as much as the idea.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Knows the continents moved but can't say what evidence proves it, or what drives the motion.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"What three kinds of evidence support plate tectonics?"
Solid looks like: Fossil matches, rock and mountain matches, magnetic striping or earthquake distribution.
The full activity for this topic · 30 minutes
Reassemble Pangaea
- 1Cut out the continents and fit them together like a puzzle.
- 2Overlay fossil and rock-type data and see the matches cross the joins.
- 3Look up a live earthquake map and mark the boundaries — they draw themselves.
- 4Model the three boundary types with hands or two books.
- 5Read one paragraph on how Wegener's idea was rejected for decades, and what changed.
If it's too hard
The continent puzzle and one line of evidence.
If it's too easy
Calculate a plate's speed from real GPS data and work out how far it moves in a lifetime.
Say this
"Fitting the shapes isn't proof — lots of things fit. What evidence made this undeniable?"