Web Quest Lesson Plan

Title: Plate Tectonics

Description: This assignment is designed to teach students about the movement of earths
crust and the different types of plate boundaries. Students will be working in groups to
research an assigned plate boundary. They then have the choice of creating and presenting
a diagram of the boundary on poster board or a PowerPoint presentation using Microsoft
PowerPoint.

Grade Level: 7th Grade

Subject: Science (Plate Tectonics)
Task: Each presentation must include the following information:

The Type of Plate Boundary

A description of the type of boundary along with visual representation
What does this boundary cause / What things are associated with this type of
boundary? (Earthquakes, Mountains, volcanoes etc.)
An example of a location with this type of boundary and how the area has been
affected.

Process: I will arrange the students into groups and assign each a plate boundary to serve
as their topic in their presentation. Each group will receive a different plate boundary to
research. Students will then present their group assignment for the class. When everyone
has presented I will go over the information and ask questions to ensure the students have
understood the material. I will then include the information on our next Quiz to test that they
have retained this information on Plate Tectonics.
Resources: Students can use their textbook to research types of plate boundaries. These
websites also include useful information that students can access from our classroom
computers when working on the assignment.
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/plate-boundaries.html
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/plate.html
http://geoscience.wisc.edu/~chuck/Classes/Mtn_and_Plates/pl_tectonics.html
Evaluation: I will evaluate and grade my students based on the accuracy of their
presentations and the amount of creativity and originality. I will provide them with a rubric.
All students within a group will earn the same grade unless certain member does not
participate in developing the final project.
Rubric
41-50 = A

Accuracy
The students have
included all elements
required in a neat,
orderly fashion. All
facts presented are
correct and up to
date. The student
has provided

Presentation
The students have
given a clear
presentation to the
class that could
easily be heard and
seen. The student
understood the
material he or she

Creativity
The students have
gone above and
beyond in creating
an original and
creative presentation
that is appealing to
the audience.

information that is in
their own words

31-40 =B

The students have

included all of the
elements required
but the facts
presented are not
always accurate and
up to date.

21-30 = C

The students have

some of the
elements required
and the facts are
accurate and up to
date.

11-20 =D

The students have

two or less of the
elements required
and the facts are
accurate and up to
date.

0-10 = F

The students have

two or less of the
elements required
and the facts are not
always correct.

was presenting and

was able to clarify
any points
mentioned in the
presentation.
The students have
given a clear
presentation to the
class that could
easily be heard and
seen. The student
understood most of
the material
presented.
The students have
given a clear
presentation to the
class that could
easily be heard and
seen. The student
understood most of
the material
presented.
The students have
given a somewhat
clear presentation to
the class and the
student understood
most of the material
presented.
The students
presentation was not
able to be
understood by the
class and clearly did
not understand the
information
presented.

The students have in

created an original
and creative
presentation that is
appealing to the
audience.

The students have in

created an original
and creative
presentation that is
appealing to the
audience.

The students have in

created an original
and creative
presentation that is
appealing to the
audience.
The students have
made no attempt at
a creative
presentation and the
information does not
seem original.

Common Core Standards:

SC.7.E.6.5
Explore the scientific theory of plate tectonics by describing how the movement of Earth's
crustal plates causes both slow and rapid changes in Earth's surface, including volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and mountain building.
SC.7.E.6.7

Recognize that heat flow and movement of material within Earth causes earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains and ocean basins.
21st Century skills: Students will be required to know how to research a topic and use
their textbook along with the search engines and websites to find information. Students will
be required to fact check their assignments for accuracy.
Conclusion: When this lesson is completed, my entire class should understand all of the
types of plate boundaries as well are their effects. They will be able to identify current
locations of these boundaries and give examples of what they do.