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This paper-based modeling activity helps students to pull together everything they have learned, including plate boundaries, resulting landforms, convection, subduction, etc. Perfect cumulative classroom activity for a middle school plate tectonics unit!
In this activity, students will:
- READ a brief introduction about cross-section drawings
- FOLLOW CLEAR STEPS to create their own cross-section drawing demonstrating their understanding of plate tectonics
- ANSWER follow-up questions
Note about the level of this activity: I have done this activity with 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade classes. Most students in this age range can do this project independently, with just a few struggling learners needing support. 6th-grade classes might need to do this as a whole class versus independently, with the teacher leading the students through the steps.
Teacher Notes:
- Please note: This plate tectonics diagram activity is NOT editable.
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- Related Standard NGSS MS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
- Related Standard NGSS MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
- Related Standard NGSS MS-ESS2-3: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of past plate motions.
- NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Developing and using models
