you are here: home> chemistry> lesson 11     lesson plan | notes | resources Lesson plan   A look at the how the Earth’s crust came about. Examining and challenging old and new hypotheses as to the origin of our planet’s surface. Pupils have all the facts and must support arguments with correct data.   Please read the lesson plan below, then read the teachers’ notes, followed by the resources page. You can navigate between the 3 pages for each lesson using the links at the top right of this page   Chemistry Lesson 11: Towards a theory for formation of the Earth’s Crust Curriculum Key: AQA 12.6   OCR P1h, P2c Edexcel Topic 7 Objective(s) 1. Recap basic Earth’s structure. 2. Recap accepted theory of Plate Tectonics. 3. Take part in evidence selection and presentation activity. Resources needed PowerPoint presentation (copied for each group if necessary) 10 sets of ‘evidence cards’ OHTs, pens, balloons, tape. Starter: 10 minutes Recap structure of the Earth. Student comes to the front and completes diagram. Could talk about each layer as well. Continue to mind map ideas about plate tectonics Teacher input/assessment Assessment of individual student in gap filling. Main Activity 1: 15 minutes Introduce 5 theories of formation of the Earths crust. Split into 5 groups and allocate one theory per group. Groups sift through evidence cards and pull out evidence to support their theory Possible demonstrations • cover an inflated balloon in tape. Allows the balloon to deflate and see what happens! • Blow up a balloon with spots on it. Watch as the spots move apart. • Use a convection square to demonstrate convection Teacher input / assessment Circulate around the room and listen in on individual discussions. Assess ability of students to select evidence and argue for or against it. Main Activity 2: 15 minutes Preparation of a short (2 minute) presentation on their theory. 2 people per group can present. Teacher input / assessment Watch presentations. Assess communication skills. Plenary: 10 minutes Students present theories. Allow 2 minutes reflection perhaps focusing on the learning outcomes. Teacher input / assessment Discussion at the end. Learning Outcomes: All students must: Take part in selection of evidence. Contribute to presentation. Most students should: Be able to give some feature of plate tectonic theory. Some students could: Prepare and deliver a presentation based on a theory. Key Skills: Communication, selection of evidence Key words: Plate tectonics, evidence, bias Homework: Name and explain other occasions where the property of the material chosen is relevant to the task it performs. Differentiation: More able: Active part in presentation Less able: Revision of simple Earth structure Possibly differentiate by task according to the theory assigned to groups   prev | next