Visual, tactile introduction to tectonic plates and the relationship between plate margins, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Community Review for Puzzling Plates
My Take
I don't think this could be the core of any high level lessons but it is a tool that could be used across all age-levels to help students start thinking about tectonic plates. Older students could easily memorize plates and their relative sizes using this app, as well as make some important observations about where earthquakes and volcanoes cluster. They can also learn about the different types of plate movements in a tactile way that is much more engaging than a geography book diagram!
How I Use It
I use this app to introduce students to the idea of plate tectonics and the relationships between plate movements and volcanic activity and earthquakes. These are not 3rd grade science standards but it is interesting content, encourages students to read expository text within the app, and engages them in making connections between the different branches of science.