Journey to the Center of the Earth

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Journey to the Center of the Earth

• By Kelly Arnold,
• Ronald Gammons,
• Carleen Massey,
• Priscilena Shearon,
• Teri Summers

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Earth Layers
3
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

4
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.

5
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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 BuilderFor 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

17
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.