Biography of a Continent

TEACHER MATERIALS

BIOGRAPHY OF A CONTINENT

PurposeThe early Earth was an inhospitable place. It wasn’t until the start of the Archaean eon, almost 700 million years after the Earth was created, that rocks formed, which made possible the development of the massive formations we call continents. Although all the continents formed at about the same time, there are important ways in which they differ. In this activity, groups of students will investigate the characteristics of the individual continents, which will help them see the similarities and differences.

ProcessDivide students into seven groups and assign each group a continent. Tell students that they will investigate their continent’s characteristics and its history — both its geologic history and its human history. Students will answer the following questions about their continent: What makes each continent different from the others? When did the continent assume the shape and location it has today? When and where did its name come from? What topography and plant and animal life characterize the continent? How have Earth processes, such as plate tectonics, given rise to the geological, geographic, and biological features we see today? Each group will research its continent, create a map highlighting its most important features, and tell its story to the class.

BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.1 ACTIVITY

STUDENT MATERIALS


PurposeThe early Earth was an inhospitable place. It wasn’t until the start of the Archaean eon, almost 700 million years after the Earth was created, that rocks formed, which made possible the development of the massive formations we call continents. Each continent is different in important respects from the others. In this activity you and your group will investigate one of the seven continents and present your findings about what makes it unique to the class. This will help you see how the continents are similar and different.

ProcessYour teacher will assign you to a group and assign your group one of the following continents to focus on:

• Africa• Antarctica• Asia• Australia• Europe• North America• South America

Research QuestionsYour group’s goal should be to learn all it can about your continent’s characteristics and history. You should look for answers to the following questions:

• What is the origin and meaning of your continent’s name?• What tectonic plates make up your continent?• When did your continent take the form that it has today?• When did your continent arrive at the location it is in today?• What landforms, plant life, and animal life are unique to your continent? • What processes have given rise to the geological, geographic, and biological features that your continent has today?

You can find lots of good sources on your own but you might start your research here:

• Natural History on the Net: Continents http://www.naturalhistoryonthenet.com/Continents/mainpage.htm• National Geographic Education: Continent http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/continent/?ar_a=1• Paleomap Project http://www.scotese.com/


http://www.naturalhistoryonthenet.com/Continents/mainpage.htm

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/continent/?ar_a=1

http://www.scotese.com/

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


What is the origin and meaning of your continent’s name?

What tectonic plates make up your continent?

When did your continent take the form that it has today?

When did your continent arrive at the location it is in today?

What landforms, plant life, and animal life are unique to your continent?

What processes have given rise to the geological, geographic, and biological features that your continent has today?


Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS

BIOGRAPHY OF A CONTINENTBIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.1 ACTIVITY

Africa

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


Antarctica

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


Asia

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


Australia

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


Europe

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


North America

Name: Date:

STUDENT MATERIALS


South America