Directions: Read the scenario below and look at the image, then answer questions 1 and 2.
Background:
In 1965 a group of scientists including Sir Edward Bullard published a paper proposing a fit between the continents surrounding the Atlantic Ocean. A similar fit had been proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. However, Bullard’s team was able to use a powerful new technology, mainframe computers. The image in Figure 1 became known as the Bullard’s Fit.
Sketch and label the approximate current locations of South America and Africa compared to their locations in Figure 1. Be sure to show the current locations, and the mechanism that caused their locations to change.
Step 1: Look at Figure 1 (Bullard’s Fit).
Step 2: On the space below, draw South America and Africa in their current locations.
Step 3: Draw arrows showing how the continents moved.
Step 4: Label the arrows with what caused the movement.
I drew the continents
I added arrows
I labeled the cause of movement
Explain the cause of the movement of the continents.
Sentence starters (You may choose one or more):
The continents moved because __________________________________.
The movement is caused by __________________ in the mantle.
__________ causes continents to ________________________.
Directions: Read the scenario and figures 2, 3, and 4 on the next two pages to complete the table below.
Analyzing New Evidence:
Additional research was published by scientists after Sir Edward Bullard’s paper was published. You will be analyzing and interpreting this research to provide evidence to support Bullard's claim.
Figure 2
Berann’s Painting - Painting by Heinrich Berann (1977) based on the scientific profiles of Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen. (Source)
Make at least two observations and use them to analyze patterns in the figures of Earth features.
Observation 1:
I notice that __________________________________________.
Observation 2:
Another thing I notice is _______________________________.
Figure 3
Fossil remains
Make at least two observations and use them to analyze patterns in the figures of Earth features.
Observation 1:
Fossils of the same kind are found _______________________.
Observation 2:
These fossils appear on ________________________________.
Figure 4
Age of Ocean Lithosphere
Make at least two observations and use them to analyze patterns in the figures of Earth features.
Observation 1:
The youngest ocean crust is found _______________________.
Observation 2:
The oldest ocean crust is found _________________________.
Interpreting New Evidence
Use your observations and analysis to explain how the continents move from where they were to where they are now.
Sentence starters:
The evidence shows that continents moved because ____________.
Fossils and ocean crust ages suggest that _________________.
Sea-Floor Spreading
Create a model of Sea-Floor spreading including the type of boundary and all needed labels.
Sentence starter:
Sea-floor spreading happens at a __________________ boundary where __________________________.
Unit 2 Sequence 2 Assessment Rubric
Standard: | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Q1. Sketch and label the approximate current locations of South America and Africa compared to their locations in Figure 1. Be sure to show the current locations, and the mechanism that caused their locations to change. 7.E1U1.6 Construct a model to explain how the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures provide evidence of past plate motions. | I can sketch and label a diagram of the original and current locations of given continents with all correctly labeled arrows that show the correct direction of movement and I can elaborate on the orientation of the arrows showing correct mechanism. | I can sketch and label a diagram of the original and current locations of given continents with all correctly labeled arrows that show the correct direction of movement and arrows showing correct mechanism. | I can sketch and label a diagram of the original and current locations of given continents with most correctly labeled arrows that show the correct direction of movement and arrows that show the correct mechanism. | I can sketch and label a diagram of the original and current locations of given continents with some arrows that show the correct direction of movement. |
Q2. Explain the cause of the movement of the continents. 7.E1U1.6 Construct a model to explain how the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures provide evidence of past plate motions. | I can explain in great detail what caused the movement of the continents using appropriate vocabulary and include the correct mechanism as well as an explanation of the mechanism | I can explain in great detail what caused the movement of the continents using appropriate vocabulary and include the correct mechanism | I can explain in detail what caused the movement of the continents using some specific vocabulary. | I can minimally explain what caused the movement of the continents without the use of specific vocabulary. |
Q3. Use your observations and analysis to explain how the continents move from where they were to where they are now. 7.E1U1.6 Construct a model to explain how the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures provide evidence of past plate motions. | I can write a response that references observations from all 3 figures as well as provided sources to explain how the continents moved to where they are now using specific vocabulary. | I can write a response that references observations from all 3 figures to explain how the continents move to where they are now using specific vocabulary. | I can write a response that references some of the provided figures to explain how the continents move to where they are now using some specific vocabulary. | I can write a response that minimally references provided figures. |
Q4. Create a model of Sea-Floor spreading including the type of boundary and all needed labels. 7.E1U1.6 Construct a model to explain how the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures provide evidence of past plate motions. | I can sketch and label a model of sea-floor spreading with all correctly labeled type of plate boundary with arrows that show the direction of movement and with emphasis on the orientation of the arrows showing the correct mechanism | I can sketch and label a model of sea-floor spreading with all correctly labeled type of plate boundary and arrows that show the correct direction of movement and identify the correct mechanism | I can sketch and label a model of sea-floor spreading with most arrows correctly labeled showing the correct direction of movement and Identifying the correct mechanism. | I can sketch a model of sea-floor spreading with minimal arrows and without identifying the type of plate boundary or mentioning correct mechanism |