Science: Earth and Space Science

As a result of the activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of:

• the structure of the earth's system.
• earth's history.

As a result of the activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of:

• the energy in the earth system.
• the origin and evolution of the earth system.

Source:National Science Education Standards

Social Studies: People, Places and Environments

Pre-K-12: Standard 3

• Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places and environments. The study of people, places and human-environment interactions assists learners as they create their spatial views and geographic perspectives of the world. Geographic concepts become central to learners' comprehension of global connections as they expand their knowledge of diverse cultures, both historical and contemporary.

National Council for the Social Studies, Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (Washington, D.C.: NCSS, 1994). This book may be purchased by calling 800-683-0812. Electronic copies of it are not available.

Source:Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

Following a unit on plate tectonics and continental shift, instruct students to research the formation of Pangaea to recreate the supercontinent. Consider fossil records and studies of the continental shelf when examining the formation of Pangaea. Bring attention to how the continents once existed and eventually separated over time. Also, consider cultural implications that we were once connected as one world. Realize that as continents drifted apart, societies evolved and various cultures emerged over time. In the end, we are all connected as members of one world.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Supplies Used: Construction Paper (Assorted Colors), Double-Sided Tape, Glue, Pencil, Scissors

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Place a sheet of blue 12" x 18" construction paper horizontally.
   
2. Free-form draw a 10" x 13 1/2" oval from light blue paper to create the earth. Consider creating a template for students to cut out.
   
3. Adhere the oval to the blue construction paper and label the project "Pangaea" (Figure A).
   
4. Cut the Indian subcontinent away from Asia to demonstrate how it was once a separate area of land (Figure B).
5. Arrange and place the continents and subcontinent according to their best fit (Figure C).
6. Adhere the continents to the earth.
   
7. Fill in gaps the between continents with brown construction paper to show connectedness. Alternately, consider using brown crayon.
   
8. Create labels for each continent and adhere to show location (see Main Photo).