Forces That Shape Earth: Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Landforms Unit | MS Earth Science

Click here to download a preview of Forces that Shape Earth unit.

This unit is included in the Earth Science Curriculum 5E Model.

Teach earthquakes, volcanoes, plate movement, stress forces, and volcanic landforms with this comprehensive Forces That Shape Earth Unit designed for middle school Earth science.

This complete resource includes full lessons, notes, interactive notebook activities, labs, quizzes, stations, task cards, and assessments—everything you need for a zero-prep, high-engagement study of Earth’s internal forces.

Perfect for grades 6–8, this unit helps students master seismic activity, plate boundaries, volcanic eruptions, magma movement, and the processes that build and reshape Earth’s surface.

Aligned to NGSS Middle School Earth Science (MS-ESS2) for plate tectonics, geologic processes, and Earth’s internal forces.

⭐ What’s Included

• PowerPoints for:
  • Forces That Shape Earth
  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Volcanic Landforms
• Student Notes (print + digital)
• Interactive Notebook Activities
• Mini-Quizzes + Digital Assessments
• Teacher Demo: Seismic Activity
• Guided Inquiry Lab: A Volcanic Eruption
• Science Stations (STEM Challenge Included)
• Task Cards (print + digital)
• Study Guide
• Final Chapter Assessment
• 10-day pacing guide
• Answer keys included for all components

⭐ Key Concepts Covered

• Types of stress (tension, compression, shearing)
• Plate boundaries & plate movement
• Earthquake causes, faults, waves & seismic activity
• Measuring earthquakes (seismographs, magnitude)
• Volcano formation and eruption types
• Shield, cinder cone & composite volcanoes
• Volcanic landforms (calderas, lava plateaus, domes)
• How internal forces shape Earth’s crust

⭐ Why Teachers Love This Unit

• Highly visual and engaging Earth science lessons
• Hands-on volcanic eruption lab is a major student favorite
• Zero prep — everything included from notes to assessments
• Strong NGSS alignment
• Perfect for interactive notebook or station-based learning
• Easy to teach, easy for students to follow

⭐ Ideal For

• Middle school Earth science
• Plate tectonics & geologic processes
• Volcanoes & earthquakes units
• NGSS MS-ESS2
• Interactive notebook classrooms
• Blended learning environments

⭐ Suggested Pacing Guide – Forces That Shape Earth (10 Days)

Day 1: Teacher Demo – Seismic Activity; Section 1 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 2: Section 1 Mini-Quiz; Section 2 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 3: Section 2 Mini-Quiz; Guided Inquiry Lab – A Volcanic Eruption
Day 4: Section 3 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 5: Section 3 Mini-Quiz; Section 4 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 6: Section 4 Mini-Quiz; Science Stations
Day 7: Science Stations
Day 8: Creation Station Final Draft + Testing
Day 9: Task Cards + Study Guide
Day 10: Chapter Assessment

Copyright © NGS Magnified, LLC. All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón.  All NGS Magnified curriculum is creative property of Erica Colón and cannot be resold or distributed.  This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.