1. TODAY’S AGENDA Tuesday 12/3
FTF (Homework Out Please!)
Convection Currents Open Response and Worksheet
TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS
FTF Review
Homework Review
2-column notes – Chapter 1 Section 3- powerpoint
Intro to Continental Drift – Alfred Wegener (questions)
Pangaea Puzzle (if time – probably Tomorrow)
Homework: None
SWBAT Describe what continental drift is and name the scientist who came up with the theory.

2. 2-Column Notes

3. Inside Earth: Chapter 1- Plate Tectonics
Section 3: Drifting Continents

4. Guide For Reading What is continental drift?
Why was Alfred Wegener’s theory rejected?

5. The Theory of Continental Drift

6. Pangaea
The name of the single landmass that broke apart 200 million years ago and gave the rise to today’s continents

7. Continental Drift
A hypothesis that the continents slowly move across Earth’s surface

8. TODAY’S AGENDA Tuesday 12/4
FTF
Newspaper “Puzzle” Activity – Understanding Evidence
Each student has 1 piece of newspaper.
Carefully tear the paper into 5-8 LARGE pieces.
Pass the pieces to your partner.
Try to assemble the “puzzle” you were given.
What evidence did you use to put the pieces of the puzzle back together? Come up with at least 3 things you used as evidence.
TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS
FTF Review
Evidence used by Alfred Wegener - Overview
Pangaea Mapping Activity
2-Column Notes on Evidence (if time)
Ticket Out
Homework: Open Response Essay for Quiz (due tomorrow!)
SWBAT Identify 3 types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift.

9. What is evidence?
Something which shows something else exists or is true.
A visible sign of something.

10. Is it Evidence?
Yes No
Does it support the idea that continents have moved?
1858: Geologist Eduard Seuss points out that fossils of the
Glossopteris plant are found in southern Africa, South America,
Australia, Antarctica, and India.
Wegener examines the location of tiny rocks and the direction of
grooves formed by large glaciers scraping across southern areas of
Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and India. He concludes
that if all these places were fitted together, they would form a
continuous ice sheet expanding outward in all directions.
Popular Geology magazine, March 12, 1912: “Continents are so large
They must always have been where they are.”
Wegener observes that a South American mountain range in Argentina
lines up with an ancient African mountain range in South Africa when
the two continents are placed together. He writes: “It is just as if we
were to refit the torn pieces of a newspaper by matching their edges and
then check whether the lines of print ran smoothly across. If they do,
there is no thing left but to conclude t hat t he pieces were in fact joined
in t his way.”

11. Is it Evidence?
Yes No
Does it support the idea that continents have moved?
1927: Geologist Alexander du Toit observes rock layers on the western
coast of Africa in the following sequence: basalt rock, shale containing
fossil reptiles, coal layers containing Glossopteris fossils, rocks containing
Mesosaurus fossils, and shale. He discovers an almost identical
sequence of rock layers on the eastern coast of South America.
1944: Geologist Baily Willis calls Wegener’s theory a fairy tale. He
argues that the theory should be ignored.
1965: Geologist Edward Bullard uses computers to match coasts of
South America and Africa. They match extremely well at an ocean
depth of 1,000 meters.
Fossils of Megascolecina ear thworms are found in South America,
Africa, India, and Australia, as well as the islands of Madagascar
and New Guinea
1980s: Satellites and lasers are used to measure the movement of
continents. They continue to move at an average of about 2 cm (0.8 in)
per year.

12. Wegener’s Evidence Rock Layers Fossils Glacial Evidence (Climate)
Cynognathus
Glossopteris
Mesosaurus
Glacial Evidence (Climate)
Landforms and Mountain Ranges
Shape of continents

13. Ticket Out
3 -2 – 1
3 types of evidence used to support continental drift.
2 specific examples of evidence (example: coastlines of Africa & S. America)
1 person who came up with the theory.

14. TODAY’S AGENDA Friday 12/6
FTF
Name 3 types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift.
Fossil seeds of the glossopteris plant have been found on the continents of south America and Africa. The seeds can only travel a few miles by wind. Explain how the plant could have been in both of these places.
Coal deposits have been found beneath ice in Antarctica. But coal only forms in warm swamps. Use Wegener’s theory to explain how coal could be found so near the South pole.
TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS
FTF Review
Housekeeping – return midterms and discuss.
Pangaea Mapping Activity
2-Column Notes on Evidence – to be completed after map is done
Homework: Pangaea Map and Questions due Monday
SWBAT Identify 3 types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift.

15. Pangaea Map Activity
You will be creating a map of Pangaea based on fossil, rock, landform and glacial evidence found on present day continents.
You will examine 4 maps of modern day Earth and transfer the data from the four maps to the Pangaea map provided.
On the blank map you will create a key using the different colors to represent the different types of evidence from the maps.

17. Let’s Do One Together
EVIDENCE 1. ROCK LAYERS This diagram shows matching rock layers in Africa and South America. With a red colored pencil transfer this data to the map of Pangaea on the attached page. Also add to key.
South America
Africa
= Rock Layers

18. Mapping Alfred’s Evidence
Complete Pre Activity Questions
Map all evidence – transfer evidence from current maps to your Pangaea map.
Be sure to create the key for each piece of evidence! Your key should have 6 colors and unique pieces of evidence when complete.
Ask Mrs. Dean to show you the answer key when you are done.
Answer post-lab questions.

19. = Rock Layers

20. = Rock Layers
= Cynognathus

21. = Rock Layers
= Cynognathus
= Glossopteris

22. = Rock Layers
= Cynognathus
= Glossopteris
= Mesosaurus

23. = Rock Layers
= Cynognathus
= Glossopteris
= Mesosaurus
= Glaciers

24. = Rock Layers
= Cynognathus
= Glossopteris
= Mesosaurus
= Glaciers
= Mountains

26. TODAY’S AGENDA Monday 12/9
FTF (Homework Out Please)
Complete Pangaea Mapping Activity!
TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS
New Buddies
FTF Review
Pangaea Mapping Activity – Finish!
2-Column Notes on Evidence
Alfred Wegener Letter Assignment
Homework: Rough Draft Alfred Wegener Letter
SWBAT Identify 3 types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift.

27. Guide For Reading: What is Wegener’s theory of continental drift?
Continental drift is the hypothesis that all the continents had once been joined together in a single landmass
The continents have slowly moved apart over Earth’s surface

28. 2-Column Notes and Graphic Organizer

29. Graphic Organizer Evidence From Landforms

30. Type of Evidence
Details
Where is it found?
1. Evidence from Shape
2. Evidence from Landforms
3. Evidence from Fossils
4. Evidence from Climate

31. Evidence From Landforms
Identical mountain ranges with matching rock layers
Coal fields on different continents match up identically
South America (Argentina) and South Africa
Also N. America and Europe
South Africa and South America (Brazil)
Identical mountain ranges with matching

32. Matching Mountain Ranges as Evidence of Continental Drift
Several mountain chains on North America and Eurasia, and South America and Africa share similar composition, structure and age.
Location of Matching Mountain Ranges
Applachian Mountains (North America)
Calendonian Mountains (Eurasia)
British Aisles Mountains (Eurasia)
Cape Mountain Range (Africa)
Sierra Range (South America)

33. Figure 11: Observing: Which coastlines seem to match up like jig-saw puzzle?
The continents of Africa and South America best match up like jigsaw-puzzle pieces

34. Figure 12: Inferring: According to Wegener’s theory, what does the presence of similar mountain ranges in Africa and South America indicate?
The presence of similar mountain ranges indicates that Africa and South America were once joined.

35. Evidence From Fossils

36. Fossil
Fossil: A trace of an organism that has been preserved in rock

37. Evidence of Continental Drift
Fossil Evidence of Continental Drift
Name
Image
Fossil
Location
Mesosaurus
Fresh Water Reptile
280 – 300 million years ago
Africa and South America
Cynognathus
Prehistoric mammal
million years ago
Africa, South America, India, Australia, Antarctica
Glossopteris
Fernlike Plant
250 million years old
South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, Australia
Lystrosaurus
250 million years ago
Africa, India,
Antarctica
Evidence of Continental Drift

38. Evidence From Landforms
3. Evidence from Fossils
Mesosaurous (fresh water reptile)
Cynognathus (early land mammal)
Glossopteris (plant)
Lystosaurus (fresh water reptile)
Africa and South America
Africa, South America, India, Australia, Antarctica
South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, Australia
- Africa, India,
Antarctica
Identical mountain ranges with matching

39. How did Wegener use evidence based on fossils to support his theory that the continents had moved?
Glossopteris fossils have been found in rocks in Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica unexpectedly
Seeds could not have travel that far over the oceans to reach other continents

40. Evidence From Climate

41. Evidence From Landforms
4. Evidence from Climate
Fossils of Tropical plants found in the Arctic Circle
Glacial evidence (scratches in rock)
Island of Spitsbergen
South Africa, South America, India, Australia and Antarctica
Identical mountain ranges with matching

42. What two examples of climate change did Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?
The Island of Spitsbergen (Arctic Ocean) has evidence of tropical plants
Deep scratches in rocks were found in South Africa, South America, India, Australia and Antarctica
These scratches support evidence of glaciers

43. Glacial Evidence of Continental Drift
Large ice sheets, or glaciers, that covered parts of the earth over 250 million years ago left behind Glacial Striations and Glacial Deposits.
Location of Glacial Evidence
South America
India
Africa
Australia
Antarctica

44. Checkpoint: What were the three types of evidence Wegner used to support his theory of continental drift?
Landforms
Fossils
Climate

45. Scientists Reject Wegener’s Theory

46. Guide For Reading: Why was Alfred Wegener’s theory rejected?
Wegener could not provide an explanation of what force moved the continents.
He could not identify the cause of continental drift

47. TODAY’S AGENDA Tuesday 12/10
FTF (Homework Out Please)
List three types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift?
List an example of each type and where it’s found.
Explain how this evidence supports Wegener’s theory of continental drift.
TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS
FTF Review
Alfred Wegener Letter Assignment - Write Rough Draft
Peer Editing of Letter!
Homework: Final Draft Letter due Friday!
SWBAT Identify 3 types of evidence used by Wegener to support his theory of continental drift.

49. Alfred Wegener Essay Written as letter
Written to convince colleagues of Alfred Wegener about his theory of continental drift.
Purpose is to demonstrate to me that you understand how the evidence used by Wegener supports his theory.
It is okay to use “I” and “my” in this writing because you are pretending to be Alfred Wegener.
Handwritten or typed final draft okay. Due Friday.

50. Letter Format Introduction paragraph 3 paragraphs Concluding Paragraph
1 Paragraph for each type of evidence
Paragraph MUST include where evidence is found
Paragraph MUST include how this evidence helps explain continental drift
Concluding Paragraph

51. Let’s Start with the Intro Example Introduction
Dear Fellow Scientists, My name is Alfred Wegener. I have discovered something I think you will find somewhat unbelievable. I call my theory Continental Drift. It is the idea that at one point the continents were all joined together in one giant landmass called Pangaea. I have identified three types of evidence to prove my theory: fossils, climate change, and landforms. In this letter I will describe how I believe these three types of evidence prove my theory. .

52. Write your introduction
Dear Fellow Scientists,
State who you are (Alfred Wegener)
My name is Alfred Wegener.
Explain and define what theory you have discovered (Continental Drift and Pangaea)
I think you will find somewhat unbelievable. I call my theory Continental Drift. It is the idea that at one point the continents were all joined together in one giant landmass called Pangaea.
Tell the reader what evidence you used (just list the 3).
I have identified three types of evidence to prove my theory: fossils, climate change, and landforms.
Now You Try! Write your introduction

53. Let’s Write A Paragraph for Evidence Example Paragraph 2
Evidence from fossils supports my theory. For example, Glossopteris fossils have been found in rocks in Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica. The seeds from this plant are too heavy to travel by air or bird, and too fragile to travel by the ocean. This means the only way fossils from this plant could be located on more than one continent is that they were once connected. Another fossil, the Mesosaurus, were found in South America and Africa. These animals were a freshwater animal that could not swim in salt water, so they could not have swam from one continent to another. Therefore, the only explanation for them to be able is that those continents were once connected.

54. Evidence Paragraphs (2-4)
Write what the evidence is.
Evidence from fossils supports my theory.
Write the details of the evidence
For example, Glossopteris fossils have been found in rocks in Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica.
How does evidence connects to continental drift?
The seeds from this plant are too heavy to travel by air or bird, and too fragile to travel by the ocean. This means the only way fossils from this plant could be located on more than one continent is that the continents were once connected.

55. Example paragraph 2
A second reason supporting my theory is the landforms found on continents. Mountain ranges in Argentina align perfectly with a mountain range in South Africa. The rock layers of these mountain ranges is identical, suggesting they were formed at the same time and in the same exact way. The only way to explain this would be that the continents were connected when the mountain range was forming. I like to think of these matching features as a torn-up newspaper. If I put the pieces back together, the “words” would line up perfectly.

56. Example Paragraph 4
The final reason supporting Pangaea is evidence of climate change in certain places in the world. Tropical plant fossils have been found on the island of Spitsbergen. Spitsbergen is located in the Arctic, and the current climate in is cold and harsh. The tropical plant fossils indicate that at one point Spitsbergen had a hot, tropical climate. Also, deep scratches found in rocks of South Africa indicate that glaciers once covered the land. But South Africa’s climate today is too mild and warm for glaciers to exist. So how is this possible? When Pangaea existed South Africa was much closer to the South Pole and had a cold climate. These drastic climate changes happened because of continental drift. When the continents came together Spitsbergen was closer to the equator making it mild and warm, and Africa was further south, causing it to become colder.

57. Conclusion – Paragraph 5
Although I cannot tell you the force that causes continental drift, the evidence is very clear and points to one conclusion: that the continents were once all connected. Thank you for your time, and I hope you seriously consider accepting my theory of continental drift. Sincerely, Alfred Wegener

58. Write A Conclusion Restate the evidence
Although I cannot tell you the force that causes continental drift, the evidence from fossils, landforms and climate is very clear and points to one conclusion: that the continents were once all connected.
Ask for your theory to be accepted
Thank you for your time, and I hope you seriously consider accepting my theory of continental drift.