Continental Drift Lesson Plan

Alfred Wegener never looked so good! Start your plate tectonics unit with this print-and-go, comic-style continental drift lesson plan. Your learners will LOVE reading content in comic form, filling in the Doodle Notes, and participating in a range of activities. From comic-style earth science coloring sheets to a word search, this continental drift activity will keep learning FUN!

BONUS CONTENT: Check out the video provided in the preview on my YouTube channel! My goal is to create FREE videos and align them with comics. SUBSCRIBE HERE to get instant access when videos are posted.

Overview

This earth science resource provides an extensive foundation for understanding plate tectonics. The comic illustrates how Alfred Wegener observed evidence, such as the shape of continents and fossil types, to help him develop the theory of continental drift. Students will participate in a project about Pangaea and different Earth periods (i.e. Jurassic, Ordovician, etc.).

The bonus video touches on plate tectonics, ocean ridges (specifically the Mid-Atlantic Ridge), and the uniqueness of Iceland.

Everything is presented in a highly visual, comic-style format.

This Alfred Wegener & Continental Drift lesson plan includes:

Lesson Plan Template-

A clear plan as to how you can carry this download for an entire week
Includes tips and links

Google Continental Drift Slideshow–

Fully animated
Editable and shareable

Discovery Activity

Get your students thinking about the evidence Alfred Wegener used to develop his theory
Instructions are delivered in a comic format improving accessibility for all
Questions help guide thinking

Content Comic

Illustrates the concept in an approachable format
Perfect for projecting on the front board
Enlarge and add to your earth science anchor chart posters
Black-line version is easy to print and fun to color
These make great science coloring sheets!
Glue directly into the interactive science notebooks to use as a reference.

Guided Notes–

Use as a guided reading or guided note-taking tool
Another great addition to science interactive notebooks
Two versions- traditional and large answer boxes

Doodle Notes–

Artistically appealing
Reinforces the concepts in an artistic manner
Two versions- traditional and large answer boxes

One-Pager Comic Project–

A completely blank comic template
Students can draw vertical lines where they see fit
Uniquely assess their understanding.
Differentiated rubrics

Drifting Continents Large-Scale Project-

Students are challenged to create a large-scale model of a specific period in Earth’s history
Two Rubric options- one with the requirements I used in my class and a blank one allowing you to create your own requirements

Bonus Earth Science Word Search

Answer Key for Guided Notes and Doodle Notes

Original, VINTAGE Lesson Plan– See how much the Cool School Comics have evolved over the years.

Easel Version– For your students’ Google Classroom or learning devices!

Comics have the ability to captivate all levels of learners! From the proficient reader to the struggling reader, comics make learning fun and accessible. Capture your students’ attention and the power of visual learning.