Layers of the Earth Lesson Overview
Students will model and describe the layers of the Earth, including the crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle, outer core, and inner core through several hands-on activities.
Resources
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| Duration 80 minutes |
Setting Classroom |
Grouping Whole class and groups of 3-4 students |
PTI Inquiry 1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.6, 3.7, 7.4 |
| Lesson Components | Time | Inquiry Skills | Tech. Used | Engage Level | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engage | 10 min | 1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.6, 3.7 | None | 2 | Students will cut open a fun size Milky Way candy bar and make observations about the inside, and answer questions that relate the Milky Way to the Earth’s Interior Layers. |
| Explore | 25 min | none | 3 | Students will look at 4 different baggies, each filled with different substances. These substances will lead the students to describing and figuring out which layer is which. | |
| Explain | 15 min | none | 2 | Students will use a resource to answer and fill out a chart that explains more characteristics of each layer. | |
| Expand | 20 min | none | 2 | Students will use all of their knowledge to figure out a diagram of Earth. | |
| Evaluate | 10 min | 7.4 | none | 1 | Exit slip will check for student understanding. |
Level of Student Engagement
| 1 | Low | Listen to lecture, observe the teacher, individual reading, teacher demonstration, teacher-centered instruction |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Medium | Raise questions, lecture with discussion, record data, make predictions, technology interaction with assistance |
| 3 | High | Hands-on activity or inquiry; critique others, draw conclusions, make connections, problem-solve, student-centered |
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