A Continental Puzzle

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.

Learning Targets

Students will analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks and continental shapes to provide evidence of the past plate motions.
Students will state a claim, supported by evidence and reasoning about the origins of the continents.

Success Criteria

I understand how data from extinct plants and animals can explain the formation and motion of large portions of the Earth's surface.
I can stated a claim supported by evidence and reasoning about the origin of the continents.

Questions to Ponder

What do you know about how the Earth's geologic features have changed over the years? How do you know this?
What are some ways you can use observation and inference to understand what has happened to the Earth in the past?

Alfred Wegener...

was a meteorologist (a scientist who studies the weather) who lived from 1880-1930. While studying maps of the continents he began to form a hypothesis, which led him to study more than just weather. His studies took him around the world as he investigated the history of fossils on each of the continents.

Far Flung Fossils - Intro

Today...

you will follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wegener and form your own hypothesis.

Procedures

Copy the data table found to the right.
Use the pictures found to the right (Far Flung Fossil Pics) to identify and record the names of the organisms that are on each continent at the different eras
- Blue - Present Day
- Green - 100 MYA
- Orange - 200 MYA
- Red - 300 MYA
Look for similarities and differences between the different continents at different times.
Open Google Earth and locate each of the 5 different continents from the Far Flung Fossils activity.
Once again, look for similarities and differences between the different continents.
On the back of your data table, write your own hypothesis about the continents. Use observations that you made while investigating the fossils as well as from Google Earth.