Earth's Layers

Target Curriculum: Science

Target Grade: 5 - 5

SOLs: SCI.5.7  
Time: 45-60 min.

Objective:
To develop an understanding of the earth's structure by exploring the layers of the earth.

Purpose:
To develop an understanding of earth's basic structure.

Materials:
layered Jell-0 cups (1 per group)
30 small spoons
overhead of cross-section of earth
uncooked manicotti (or large straws)
3 different kinds of bread
peanut butter
jelly or fruit spread
plastic knives
student journals

Procedure:
Anticipatory Set:
Share a layered Jell-O cup with groups. Discuss how each layer was formed separately, until the completed form took shape.
Explore:
Students will take a core sampling
Spread peanut butter on 1 slice of bread, lay another slice over this. Spread jelly or spread on next. Cover with third slice of bread (You could make this taller if you wanted). Tell students they will act like scientists by taking a sampling of the material inside this "earth layer". Using the manicotti (or wide straw) as a drill, slide it into the earth sandwich, pulling out the core sample. Open the drill exposing the sample. Observe the layers present. Have students illustrate their "core samples" in their science logs.

Input: Review Vocabulary: crust, mantle, and core Using overhead, display colored cross-section of the earth's layers. Identify each layer and label(Modeling)

Have students label these layers on their individual charts. (guided practice)

Check for Understanding
Monitor students labeling, redirecting errors quickly.

Observations:
Then have students draw a possible core sample of the earth's layers, just like scientists might.

Conclusions:
Closure/Assessment
Students should record their thoughts in science log, explaining what they learned. (in own words)
Date work for scientific accuracy, including simple pictures.

For Your Information:
Activity can be small group or whole class.

Extension:
Independent Activities
Research on a computer database: finding specific composition of each layer of the earth, noting its thickness and state of matter.
Create a booklet that describes each layer of the earth giving pertinent facts for each layer.
Create a story about traveling to the center of the earth include key facts that will help the reader identify each layer.
Write a paragraph about a spelunker that discovers another layer of the earth. (fiction)
Write a news report depicting a major earth upheaval causing scientists to excavate the site for new information about earth's history.

Class Discussion Questions:
Focus Question:
How do scientists know what makes up the earth's composition?
Do the layers of the earth change thickness?
How are volcanoes formed?
How deep can a fault line go inside the crust?