Tectonic Plates
Understand that Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates that float on hotter, softer rock beneath and move very slowly — a few centimetres per year
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“If you showed your child a map of the tectonic plates, could they explain that Earth's surface is cracked into huge pieces that move very slowly — about as fast as their fingernails grow?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Understand that Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates that float on hotter, softer rock beneath and move very slowly — a few centimetres per year
What to notice. Describe Earth's crust as broken into large plates • Explain that the plates float on hotter, partially melted rock underneath • State that plates move very slowly, typically a few centimetres per year
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If you showed your child a map of the tectonic plates, could they explain that Earth's surface is cracked into huge pieces that move very slowly — about as fast as their fingernails grow?
Understand that Earth's crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates that float on hotter, softer rock beneath and move very slowly — a few centimetres per year
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Check understanding
- Describe Earth's crust as broken into large plates
- Explain that the plates float on hotter, partially melted rock underneath
- State that plates move very slowly, typically a few centimetres per year
“If you showed your child a map of the tectonic plates, could they explain that Earth's surface is cracked into huge pieces that move very slowly — about as fast as their fingernails grow?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Age range
- Ages 9–11