Convection currents and plate

tectonics
7TH GRADE GENERAL SCIENCE
LESSON PLAN
MELISSA LEE

Bell work
Define the following words:
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
You may use your textbook or any notes to
complete this activity.
You have 4 minutes to complete this activity.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of the earth contains the

tectonic plates.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of the Earth is in the

upper mantle.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of the Earth is where we

live.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of the Earth is where

convection currents occur.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of the Earth contains

hot, soft rock.

Bell work discussion

Match the following explanations with the letter
indicating the correct term using your dry erase board.

L=Lithosphere
A=Asthenosphere

This layer of Earth is made up of

the crust and upper mantle.

Anticipatory activity
Pages R56-R57 of the textbook provide a map

showing the plate boundaries.

The following images show the natural
landscape near some of these boundaries.
Quickly describe what you see in each of these
pictures. Complete sentences are not
necessary. You will be given 3 minutes for each
image.

Los Angeles, California

The Himalayas

The Philippines

Anticipatory Activity
Describe how you think each of the landscapes may

have occurred. Complete sentences are not

required. You have 3 minutes to complete this
activity. Be prepared to share your answers with
the class.

Plate tectonics
Tectonic plates are the large, moving pieces

into which Earths lithosphere is broken.

Discuss the theory of plate tectonics with
your table mate based on the above
definition and the previous lesson on
Pangaea.
Write down a description of the theory of
plate tectonics in your own words.

Plate tectonics
Plate Tectonics

Does your explanation match the description in

the video?
Thumbs up=Yes
Thumbs sideways=Needs improvement
Thumbs down=Not even close
Make changes to your explanation to make the
video description.

Lithosphere

Asthenosphere

Convection currents
Convection currents

Describe how convection currents cause

magma to move in the asthenosphere.

How do convection currents move tectonic

plates?

Using the provided supplies draw a model of

how scientists believe tectonic plate
movement occurs based on the provided
rubric.
Label the following:

Tectonic plates

Crust

Lithosphere

Mantle

Asthenosphere

Plate boundary

Convection current

How do convection currents move tectonic plates?

Each group member will describe their

model to the group.

All members will provide constructive
feedback in writing about others models
to improve understanding.
Feedback is based on the provided
rubric.

Images downloaded from the following websites

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/bicycling.com/files/articles/2014/09/San-Gabriel-Mountains.jpg
usc.edu
pbs.org
nytimes.com
philippineembassy-usa.org
chinadaily.com.cn
zmetravel.com
plate-tectonics.org
ck12.org
academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu