Learning Objective: I can explain, with words and diagrams, how tectonic plates move. Do Now: At what type of plate boundary do volcanoes form? At what type of plate boundary do 
earthquakes occur? Why?

What could cause these giant plates to move? It has to do with all the HEAT in the the outer core and mantle. Remember 6th grade: How does heat move?

Moving Heat Demonstration Draw and write your observations:

How does heat move in our classroom?

Demonstration idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xWWowXtuvA

The same thing happens inside the Earth.... -Where is the hottest part of the Earth? -So where does all that heat want to go?

The same thing happens inside the Earth.... The entire cycle of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking is called a Convection Current.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrXAGY1dmE

Tectonic Plates move because of Convection 
Currents: Draw it with me.....

So you're trying to convince a 3rd grader that the ground they're standing on is moving. You go through all the evidence of continental drift and seafloor spreading but, like Alfred Wegner, the 3rd grader still doesn't believe you. The 3rdy shoots back, "But what could be strong enough to move a whole continent? Superman? Quailman?" How do you respond? 
Use pictures and sentences (and maybe examples) to explain.

Check for Understanding Share Posters

Tectonic Plates move because of Convection Currents: Draw it with me.....