Curated OER
Continental Drift
Be sure to come prepared to discuss the theory of Pangaea and the two super-continents, Laurasia and Gondwanaland. Collaborative learners look for fossil evidence that supports the theory that one super-continent divided into two. They...
Tramline
Tramline: Antarctica Field Trip
"What are the native land mammals of Antarctica? Do you know what Nanatuks are? Did you realize that if you use rainfall as a measure, Antarctica is by definition a desert?" Find the answers to these questions and more in this...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Great Continental Drift Mystery
A unit on plate tectonics designed for middle school students, this page must be read carefully to find the activities to be done in the class, but it provides a wealth of background for the teacher as well.
Other
Hartao: An Introduction to Plate Tectonics
Introduces South African Alexander Toit as naming Gondwanaland and Laurasia.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: The Triassic Period
Information about the Mesozoic Era, including details and extensive links about the geology and biology of the period. A very thorough site that is geared toward 5 - 8th grades, but useful for all.
PBS
Mountain Maker Earth Shaker
This resource gives an introduction to the theory of plate tectonics. It also has animations of four types of plate boundary interactions (convergent, divergent, transforming, collisional).
PBS
Nova: Gondwana Breakup
Watch the supercontinent Gondwana breakup into today's continents. The animation starts 150 million years ago and also shows the projected locations of the continents 50 million years into the future.
Other
Georgia Perimeter College: The Permian Period
This resource provides basic information of the changes that took place during the Permian period as well as the animals that populated the Earth during this time.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Precambrian Continents
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How the first continents were formed.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Continental Drift
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes Wegener's continental drift hypothesis and his evidence for it.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: All About Plate Tectonics
Simple discussion of plate tectonics and Pangaea. Includes maps and interactives.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: About Antarctica: Plate Tectonics
Explanation of why Antarctica has fossils of ferns, amphibians, and reptiles. Gondwanaland is discussed and shown in an interactive map.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Continental Drift
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes Wegener's continental drift hypothesis and his evidence for it.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is the Biosphere?
This article explains that as our knowledge of life on the planet evolves, we've come to use the word biosphere as a way of explaining the entire intertwined network of life on Earth. This concept combines an understanding of geology,...
Other
Grand Canyon Explorer: Continental Drift
Maps and detailed descriptions of the breakup of Pangea due to a great rift opening.