The continental drift is a fascinating topic that has captured the imaginations of scientists. For children aged 9-12, learning about continental drift can be a great way to develop their critical thinking skills, learn about the history of Earth, and explore the natural world.
Our new educational material consists of a stunning set of five puzzles representing the drifts, which can be used to help children visualize the process of continental drift and learn about the different periods in Earth’s history. In addition to the puzzles, our material Tectonic Plates Complete Set also includes five control charts, 47 research cards on the topic of continental drift, as well as 25 task cards children can work on to reflect and learn more. The complete set includes two wooden storage boxes. A rectangular cabinet can be purchased separately to hold all five puzzles and control charts.
Continental Drift
The continental drift is the theory that the continents are not fixed in place, but are constantly moving. This movement is caused by the movement of the tectonic plates, which are large slabs of rock that make up the Earth’s crust. The continents were once all part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea. Over time, Pangaea broke apart and the continents drifted to their current locations. This process is still happening today, and the continents are expected to continue to drift for millions of years to come. This topic can be introduced at the upper elementary level when learners have exhausted exploring the Timeline of Life and other geological work such as Anatomy of a Tectonic Earthquake Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards, Map of the Ocean Floor Puzzle, and/or The Ring of Fire (Nomenclature Cards) (6-9).
Our Materials
Quick Overview of Each Period
Cambrian Period – 514 Million Years Ago
The continents were all part of a supercontinent called Rodinia during the Cambrian period. Over time, Rodinia began to break apart, and the continents slowly drifted to their current locations. This process of continental drift is still happening today.
Carboniferous Period – 305 Million Years Ago
The continents continued to drift during the Carboniferous period. North America and Europe were connected, and South America and Africa were also connected. This allowed for the exchange of plants and animals between the continents, which helped to increase biodiversity.
Jurassic Period – 152 Million Years Ago
The continents continued to drift during the Jurassic period. The supercontinent Pangaea began to form, which was made up of all of the modern continents. This led to a decrease in biodiversity, as plants and animals were no longer able to move freely between the continents.
Cretaceous Period – 94 Million Years Ago
Pangaea continued to break apart during the Cretaceous period. The Atlantic Ocean began to widen, and the Gulf of Mexico formed. This led to an increase in biodiversity, as plants and animals were able to move into new areas.
Present Earth
The tectonic plates of the present time are the seven following plates: African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific, and South American. These plates are constantly moving, at a rate of a few centimeters per year. This movement of the plates is responsible for many of the features of the Earth’s surface, such as mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
In conclusion, our new Montessori-aligned material, Tectonic Plates Complete Set, is a great way for children ages 9-12 to learn about the movements of the plates. The five puzzles provide a fun and interactive way for children to visualize the process of continental drift by manipulating the parts of a puzzle. The arrows and control charts provide learners with a way to do self-assessments. The research cards contain lots of rich science terminology, which can help children to develop their vocabulary and understanding of the topic. Finally, the task cards are logically designed using Bloom’s Taxonomy (remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, and evaluating), which provokes higher-order thinking!
For more Montessori and innovative materials, visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com!
