Journey to the Center of the Earth

By: Kelly Arnold, Ronald Gammons, Carleen Massey, Priscilena Shearon, Teri Summers
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Earth Layers

Lesson Overview
Engage and explore Earths layers with a trade book Assess prior knowledge Use apple as a 3-D model for comparison to layers Identify and summarize the characteristics of each layer

Instructional Goals
STANDARD 9.0 Earth Features Describe, locate, and label the layers of the Earth by what they are made of, and by their physical properties. Accomplishment: 8.9.01a-Differentiate among earth layers according to their physical properties. 8.9.spi.1 Label a cross section of the earth. 8.9.tpi.1 Build a model that represents the earths layers.

Formative Assessment

Carousel questions based on reading excerpt from trade book, Plate Tectonics by Rebecca L. Johnson Draw and label apple as model of earth layers Write characteristics of earth layers

Lesson Organization: Opening The Lesson (10 minutes) Hand out class set of typed or Xeroxed copies of second and third paragraphs from p. 6 of Plate Tectonics by Rebecca L. Johnson. Show an overhead transparency copy of the paragraphs to class and ask student to read aloud. Show a transparency of labeled earth layers showing 5 layers of physical properties and 3 layers for composition (similar to diagram on p. 7 of trade book). Post large papers around classroom headed with diagram labels. Elicit questions generated by these paragraphs and have students write them on Post-it notes and then stick them under the appropriate poster headings. Students will cruise around room, reading questions, and posting answers to any questions they already know.
(See directions for Carousel Brainstorm on the Tennessees Next Generation Tools for Teaching Standards Based Science CD.)
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Lesson Organization: Developing The Lesson (25 minutes) Hand out paper plates, drawing paper, and one-quarter wedges of apples to each student (or group). Ask students to decide which part of the apple represents the layers represented on the transparency diagram. Direct students to draw the apple wedge and label it with corresponding terms from transparency diagram. Under each label on the student drawing, write a sentence explaining why that apple part was chosen for that term. Use textbook or other resources to locate information about Earth layers. Write characteristics for each layer, including temperature, thickness, chemical composition, and other important information. Students will complete the apple diagram and list of characteristics for homework.

Lesson Organization: Closing The Lesson (5 minutes)

Assign each student group a layer to summarize for the class. Each group gets a minute to reread the questions and answers already posted on large paper and the information they wrote on their diagram. Each group elects one member to summarize the information aloud for the class. Students throw out plates and uneaten apples, and use sanitizer and paper towels to clean up.

Teacher Resources
Teacher prep: Large paper sheets headed with Earth layer terms, Post-it Notes for every student, purchase one apple for every 4 students and paper plate for every student or group. Bruise apple before cutting into quarters to simulate crust and lithosphere. Need transparency of Earth layers and of paragraphs selected from trade book Plate Tectonics by Rebecca L. Johnson. Also make class set of copies of paragraphs selected from trade book. Drawing paper for each student. Hand sanitizer and paper towels for clean up.

Enrichment Activities
Aside from an apple, what other material(s) can be used to create a 3-dimensional model of Earth's layers? Create a mnemonic device to remember the correct sequence of layers. Compare the movie The Core to todays lesson. Determine which movie parts are fact and which are fiction.

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Accommodations For Special Learners

Place weaker students in heterogeneous group so that peer tutoring can take place. Monitor students' involvement to keep easily-distracted students on task.

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TN Standardized Test Item

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Lesson Builder: For The Student

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Instructional Goals
STANDARD 9.0 Earth Features Describe, locate, and label the layers of the Earth by what they are made of, and by their physical properties. Accomplishment: 8.9.01a-Differentiate among earth layers according to their physical properties. 8.9.spi.1 Label a cross section of the earth. 8.9.tpi.1 Build a model that represents the earths layers.

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Assessment
You are a tour guide on a sightseeing tour of the Earth's layers. You will describe in a written brochure the journey to the center of the earth. Include information about the composition and physical description of the layers in your brochure. Your product will be an oral or written guide to the sights as they progress on the journey.
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Learning Activity
Copies of excerpt from trade book Post-it notes Paper plates and apples Textbook or other reference

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Enrichment Activities
Aside from an apple, what other material(s) could be used to create a 3-dimensional model of Earth's layers? Create a mnemonic device to remember the correct sequence of layers. Compare the movie The Core to todays lesson. Determine which movie parts are fact and which are fiction.

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