Activity Overview
The relative movement of adjacent tectonic plates can be categorized as either a divergent, convergent or transform boundary. In this activity, students will create a storyboard to illustrate the different types of interactions between tectonic plates. Students should be encouraged to provide examples of each type of interaction.
At a divergent boundary, the plates move apart from each other. This is also know as a constructive boundary because new lithosphere is made. At a convergent boundary, the plates move closer together. When the boundary is between a continental plate and oceanic plate or between two oceanic plates, the denser oceanic plate will travel underneath the less dense plate. This is called subduction. At a transform plate boundary, the plates don’t move closer together or further away, but move past each other.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the different types of interactions that can occur when two tectonic plates meet.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each cell, use shapes to describe the three types of interactions that can occur at a boundary between two tectonic plates.
- Add a title to identify each of the interactions.
- Describe the interaction underneath each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of the Tectonic Plate Interactions | Convergent, Divergent, and Transform have all been correctly identified. | Two of Convergent, Divergent and Transform have been correctly identified. | One of Convergent, Divergent and Transform has been correctly identified. |
| Visualization | The visualization is clear and accurate for every different boundary type. | The visualization for every different boundary type can be understood, but is confusing. | The visualization for every different boundary type can't be understood. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
The relative movement of adjacent tectonic plates can be categorized as either a divergent, convergent or transform boundary. In this activity, students will create a storyboard to illustrate the different types of interactions between tectonic plates. Students should be encouraged to provide examples of each type of interaction.
At a divergent boundary, the plates move apart from each other. This is also know as a constructive boundary because new lithosphere is made. At a convergent boundary, the plates move closer together. When the boundary is between a continental plate and oceanic plate or between two oceanic plates, the denser oceanic plate will travel underneath the less dense plate. This is called subduction. At a transform plate boundary, the plates don’t move closer together or further away, but move past each other.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the different types of interactions that can occur when two tectonic plates meet.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each cell, use shapes to describe the three types of interactions that can occur at a boundary between two tectonic plates.
- Add a title to identify each of the interactions.
- Describe the interaction underneath each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of the Tectonic Plate Interactions | Convergent, Divergent, and Transform have all been correctly identified. | Two of Convergent, Divergent and Transform have been correctly identified. | One of Convergent, Divergent and Transform has been correctly identified. |
| Visualization | The visualization is clear and accurate for every different boundary type. | The visualization for every different boundary type can be understood, but is confusing. | The visualization for every different boundary type can't be understood. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
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