This week the fifth-graders learned about the different ways that mountains are made.  After watching a video and discussing the difference between fold mountains, up-warp mountains, fault block mountains, and volcanic mountains, we attempted to make our own mountains using Playdoh.  The students made simulation crust plates using two different colors of Playdoh to represent the rock layers.  They used different tools to put stress on the plates (just like the movement in Earth’s mantle puts stress on Earth’s tectonic plates), which made the Playdoh plates fold, stretch, or warp to make mini-mountains on their desks.  The results were great!  The fifth-graders did an amazing job working out how to simulate making mountains on a tiny scale!  And, it made for a very colorful and engaging Thursday morning!