Layers Of The Earth
May 1994
These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the
Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14
western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western,
United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big
Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating
teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the
Workshops.
AUTHOR: Laura Wilson, Hammon, OK
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 2-6, earth science
OVERVIEW:
This is an introductory lesson that can be expanded into the following areas: Geology,
volcanos, earthquakes, and archaeology. It introduces the layers of the earth and the
basic composition and distance of each.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the lesson is to introduce geology in its simplest form and how a rock
is formed. It can also be used the sciences listed above with a few miner changes.
OBJECTIVES: As a result of these activities the student will:
- Identify the layers of the earth and the approximate distances of each.
- Crust 6-40 miles.
- Mantle 1,800 miles.
- Outer core 1,375 miles.
- Inner core 1,750 miles.
- Identify and list the sciences that study the earth's layers and the importance of the
information gathered and how it is used.
- Identify the basic composition of each layer.
- Be able to web any subject in groups or individually.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Teacher materials: Blue, brown, yellow, black, and white
construction paper marked with the appropriate diameter circle. An apple, knife, and
"The Magic School Bus inside the earth". Student materials: Scissors, glue, a
black and white crayon to label with and a box of crayons to color the project.
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
- Introduce the layers of the earth using an apple. Cut the apple in half across the core.
Explain that the skin represents the crust, the heart represents the mantle, the seed coat
represents the outer core, and the seed represents the inner core.
- Read "The Magic School Bus inside the earth" by Joanna Cole. This explains the
layers of the earth and the composition of each.
- As a group web or brainstorm one or all of the sciences that study the layers of the
earth and the importance of each. This can be general information or very specific.
- Using construction paper have each student model the layers of the earth. Blue 8 1/2
" circle labeled 6-40 miles. The crust is made of many plates which "float"
above mantle. The crust is thicker and lighter at the continents and thinner and denser at
the ocean floor. Brown 7 " circle labeled 1,800 miles. The mantle lies below the
crust. It is a thick layer of solid rock. Many scientists believe that the mantle
transfers heat from the core to the surface. Yellow 6" circle labeled 1,375 miles.
The outer core is made of melted iron and nickel. It is much denser than the rock layers
above it. The temperature of the outer core can range form 4000 to 9000 F. Black 3"
diameter circle labeled 1,750 miles. The inner core is made of solid iron and nickel.
These materials sank to the center of the earth while it was still in a molten form.
Use
white construction paper for the background and label each circle at the top as it is
glued to the background. Have each student decorate their projects as they now understand
the earth. Layer information gathered form "Mailbox Magazine" June/July, 1991.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
- Review the importance of studying layers and begin in depth units on any of the
following areas: Geology, Volcanos, Earthquakes, and archaeology.
- Have the students share their projects and explain the differences.
- Have the students web as a group or individually one area of science that uses the
layers of the earth that interested them most.
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