Intro to Plate Tectonics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Thingvellir Fissure: Walking Between Diverging Continents in Iceland Teacher Discussion Guide | Middle School Earth Science | Grades 6–8

This is the teacher discussion guide, with lesson flow, facilitation questions, anticipated student ideas and model explanations for leading the class discussion for the Phenomena-Based Lesson in the Middle School Earth Science (grades 6–8) chapter Intro to Plate Tectonics, built around the phenomenon The Thingvellir Fissure: Walking Between Diverging Continents in Iceland. It is sold separately from the other two parts of the set.

Complete the set: Intro to Plate Tectonics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Thingvellir Fissure: Walking Between Diverging Continents in Iceland Presentation; Intro to Plate Tectonics Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Thingvellir Fissure: Walking Between Diverging Continents in Iceland Student Response Sheet. Scaffolded version: Intro to Plate Tectonics Scaffolded Phenomena-Based Lesson: The Thingvellir Fissure: Walking Between Diverging Continents in Iceland Teacher Discussion Guide.

Sections: NGSS Dimension; Specific Performance Expectation & Dimensional Alignment; Slides; Segment; Focus Activity & Instructional Goal; Anchoring Driving Question (student Sensemaking):; Teacher Script (read Aloud To Introduce Phenomenon):; Talk Move Category. Sample item: “• Tier 1 Observation: What geological features visible in the canyon landscape indicate that the ground is pulling apart rather than slamming together?”

What's inside: Teacher Discussion Guide (editable .docx + PDF, about 1,446 words, 6 pages); answer key / model answers for the teacher.

Standards: NGSS Middle School Earth & Space Science (MS-ESS) disciplinary core ideas and the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

Resource type: Phenomena-Based Lesson – Teacher Discussion Guide. Format: editable Microsoft Word file plus a ready-to-print PDF.

Classroom use: Open with the phenomenon slide show, let students record ideas on the response sheet, and lead the discussion with the teacher guide. Built for Middle School Earth Science, grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.