Physics of the Universe · Week 21 · Nuclear Processes and Earth's History
Moving Plates
Arguing from rock age data for plate motion and recognizing how slow, steady change shapes people too.
- Students will
- Students argue from rock age data that plates move and explain why the oldest rocks are on continents and the youngest on the seafloor.
- SEL skill
- Recognize that slow steady change shapes others and respond with an empathy statement that names a feeling and a cause
- What it looks like
- Students practice empathy by recognizing that slow, steady change shapes people as well as Earth.
- Content focus
- Moving plates
- Format
- Partner exchange
Social awareness
Social awareness is taking another person's perspective and showing empathy, especially for people with different experiences. More social awareness activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-ESS1-5: High School Earth and Space Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP7 Engaging in argument from evidence
- Crosscutting concept: CCC1 Patterns
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle III: Natural systems change in ways people benefit from and can influence
- Literacy in science: WHST.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on discipline specific content.
- Traditional course: Physics
Fits these textbook chapters
- Physics Techbook, Concept 4.2: Radiometric Dating
- Physics Techbook, Concept 5.3: Seismic Waves
- California HMH Science Dimensions: Physics in the Universe, Unit 2: Momentum and Collisions
- California HMH Science Dimensions: Physics in the Universe, Unit 6: Nuclear Processes
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More social awareness activities for Physics of the Universe
- Momentum and Collisions Social awarenessCalculating momentum in collisions and reflecting on how our words and actions transfer impact to others.
- Gravity Holds Us Social awarenessUsing the law of gravitation to predict attraction and noticing the invisible pulls between people in a community.
- Fields We Cannot See Social awarenessModeling the fields between interacting objects and recognizing the unseen pressures classmates may be carrying.
- Geothermal Power Social awarenessModeling thermal energy at the particle scale in geothermal brine and considering how Imperial Valley communities experience new energy projects.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.