Before the Movie

What do you know about plate tectonics? (Make connections)

What do you hope to learn about plate tectonics? (Set goals)

 

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 2:03: Why would older seafloor be further from the peak of an underground ridge? (Recall; Identify cause/effect)

Timecode 3:10: What are the forces in the planet that push tectonic plates apart? (Recall)

Timecode 4:57: How is volcanic activity similar to earthquakes? (Compare/contrast)

 

After the Movie

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Plate Tectonics topic. (Make connections)

Why did the idea of Pangaea seem absurd to scientists in Wegner’s day? (Make connections; Apply new knowledge)

 

BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Plate Tectonics Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.