AICE The Test

Chapter 2 Earth Processes (50 min Lessons)

Teaching about the movement of tectonic plates offers a fascinating way to help students understand the dynamic nature of our planet.

This topic explains how the shifting of these massive plates shapes the ocean floor, creating features like hydrothermal vents and ocean trenches. It also illuminates the origins of natural phenomena such as earthquakes and tsunamis. By exploring the mechanisms behind these geological processes, students can gain a deeper appreciation for Earth’s natural systems and the forces that drive them.

This blog will provide you with engaging explanations and resources to make this complex topic accessible and exciting for your students. Let us dive into the world of tectonic plates and discover how they shape our oceans!

This unit covers the following topics

  • 2.1 Tectonic processes
  • 2.2 Weathering, erosion, and sedimentation
  • 2.3 Tides and ocean currents

Resources

Timeframe

  • 4 weeks
  • 17 days/class periods – 45-50 minutes each

Daily Agenda

Here’s an insight into my daily routine, outlining both my current practices and planned strategies. This encompasses the content I deliver, the methods I employ to reinforce concepts, the array of activities I incorporate, including simulations and laboratory work, and my approach to student assessment.

While this routine isn’t without its imperfections, it has proven effective for my students, as evidenced by my average pass rate of 90%.

Feel free to use this as a foundation, adapting it to align with your preferences and, crucially, incorporating valuable feedback from your students.

The goal is to maintain an atmosphere of engagement and enthusiasm, keeping students intrigued by the subject matter and get them to pass the AICE Exam.

Note: All pacing suggestions are estimates. Adjust the time to accommodate for specific student needs and interests.
Exposing students to proper blend of lecture, practice activities and questions is of paramount importance for their success on the Cambridge exam.

Curriculum Pacing Guide

1 Day = 45-50 minutes class.

Day 1 Lesson

  • 2.1 Tectonic processes

Objectives

  • describe the structure of the Earth
  • describe the theory of plate tectonics, and the evidence supporting the theory

Instructional Materials

Day 2 Lesson

  • 2.1 Tectonic processes

Objectives

  • identify and describe the three types of plate boundary as convergent, divergent and transform

Instructional Materials

Day 3 Lesson

  • 2.1 Tectonic processes

Objectives

  • explain how tectonic processes produce ocean trenches, midocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, abyssal plains, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis

Instructional Materials

Day 4 Lesson

  • 2.1 Tectonic processes

Objectives

  • describe how hydrothermal vents form

Instructional Materials

Day 5 Lesson

  • 2.2 Weathering, erosion, and sedimentation

Objectives

  • distinguish between weathering and erosion
  • describe the three main types of weathering: chemical, physical and organic

Instructional Materials

Day 6 Lesson

  • 2.2 Weathering, erosion, and sedimentation

Objectives

  • describe the four main types of erosion: by ice, water, wind and gravity
  • describe sedimentation

Instructional Materials

Day 7 Lesson

  • 2.2 Weathering, erosion, and sedimentation

Objectives

  • explain the littoral zone
  • describe how weathering, erosion and sedimentation give rise to the morphology of rocky shores, sandy shores, muddy shores

Instructional Materials

Day 8 Lesson

  • 2.2 Weathering, erosion, and sedimentation

Objectives

  • describe how weathering, erosion and sedimentation give rise to the morphology of estuaries and deltas

Instructional Materials

Day 9 Lesson

  • 2.3 Tides and ocean currents

Objectives

  • explain how tides are produced
  • explain the formation of spring and neap tides
  • interpret tide tables and graphs in terms of tidal height, tidal range, spring and neap tides

Instructional Materials

Day 10 Lesson

  • 2.3 Tides and ocean currents

Objectives

  • interpret tide tables and graphs in terms of tidal height, tidal range, spring and neap tides
  • factors affecting tidal range

Instructional Materials

Day 11 Lesson

  • 2.3 Tides and ocean currents

Objectives

  • describe the formation of ocean currents and upwelling
  • explain the formation of the global ocean conveyor belt and its importance

Instructional Materials

Day 12 Lesson

  • 2.3 Tides and ocean currents

Objectives

  • discuss the causes and effects of El Niño and La Niña events during the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle in the Pacific Ocean

Instructional Materials

Day 13 Lesson

  • Review

Objectives

  • Review topics covered in Chapter 2

Instructional Materials

Day 14 Lesson

  • Review

Objectives

  • Review topics covered in Chapter 2

Instructional Materials

Day 15 Lesson

  • Review

Objectives

  • Review topics covered in Chapter 2

Instructional Materials

Day 16 Lesson

  • Review

Objectives

  • Review topics covered in Chapter 2

Instructional Materials

Day 17 Lesson

  • Chapter 2 Test

Objectives

  • Assess student’s mastery

Instructional Materials

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! Are there any topics you’d like to learn more about or see discussed here? I’d love to hear your suggestions. Please let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates!

Go back

Your message has been sent