Let's build the Earth!: The structure of the Earth's crust and interior

Karen Thyne Lismore Colony Elementary Clinton MN based on a modified activity found at www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/science
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Initial Publication Date: July 20, 2008

Summary

In this activity the students will act out and represent the layers of the earth's crust, mantle, and core. They will then make observations from that activity and record them in their science journal.

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Learning Goals

The students will make observations of a "sample" model of the Earth.
The students will construct a model representation of the Earth.
The students will compare and contrast the movement and material in each layer.
The students will explain the location of each layer and what it contains.
Vocabulary: core, mantle, crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere

Context for Use

4th-6th grade 15-30 students (could be modified for smaller groups) 20-30 minutes

Description and Teaching Materials

Materials: slips of paper with inner core, outer core, deep mantle, asthensophere, lithosphere/crust; jaw breaker;, small hammers; safety goggles; a large open area; science journals; pens/pencils
Procedure:
1. Give each student a jaw breaker (Nerds jaw breakers are great as they have a "core" of Nerds inside the layers of the jaw breaker). Using small hammers and safety goggles, have them break or crack their jaw breaker. Make observations/record what they see in their science journals. Do not let them eat them yet- set aside for later.

2. Copy the following words onto separate slips and put them in a container for students to randomly draw out. (adjust the numbers to fit class size- suggestions are for 30 students)
Inner core - 1
Outer core - 3
Deep mantle - 6
Asthenosphere - 8
Lithosphere/crust - 12
3. Take students to a large open area and "build the earth from the inside out".
4. Have the student that drew inner core stand in the center and flex his or her muscles (this represents the inner core which is dense and solid metal).
5. Have the students that drew outer core form a circle around the inner core. They should face the center and walk counterclockwise around the inner core while moving their arms up and down. (this represents the fact that the outer core is liquid and moving.
6. Have the students that drew deep mantle join hands and form a circle around the outer core and chant "hot rock, hot rock".
7. Have the asthensophere students surround the deep mantle. Have them sway back and forth to represent the movement that occurs in this layer.
8. Finally have the lithosphere/crust students form a circle around the entire earth. Have them face outward and slowly walk around the rest of the earth.
9. Have the students return to the classroom and draw/write the layers of the earth and how/why they were represented as such.
10. After allowing journaling time, discuss with the students the layers and their impressions.
11. Have the students again look at their broken jaw breakers. Discuss/ask for observations as to how these are related to the earth model. Let them eat their jaw breakers! Layers of the Earth (Acrobat (PDF) 62kB Jul20 08)

Teaching Notes and Tips

The activity is set up for 30 students. It could be modified to allow for fewer/more students. I have not done this activity as I have a much smaller group, but have used parts of it (the jawbreaker model) and the movements as we discuss the layers of the Earth from the inside out. Other types of candy can also be used (gum with the liquid center, tootsie pops, but jawbreakers have the layers when broken so are the best "layered" model I could think of)

Assessment

Observation of activity, student journal
(I would not use this as a graded assignment- more of an introductory activity to broaden their understanding)

Standards

5.III.A.5
(Earth Science. Earth Structure and Processes. The student will explore the structures and functions of Earth systems i.e.lithosphere)

References and Resources