Introduction
Our Earth:
An Oreo Cookie or a Seven-Layer Cookie Bar?
You be the judge!
The Mission:
Scientists all over the country have sparked a debate regarding our Earth and its layers. Some are arguing that our planet's layers are similar to that of an Oreo. Others believe that its layers are many like that of a 7 layer cookie bar. They have asked our class to help them uncover the exact details of our Earth’s layers.
Task
The Team: Working in groups of 4, you must use the Internet to search at least 5 websites that focus on the Earth’s core and provide reliable information to help end the Scientists’ debate. Your web research will occur over the course of 2-3 classes. Each team member will be assigned a role to take on during this quest. The roles will be:
Captain -- responsible for time management and will oversee the organization of the material
Navigator -- responsible for searching the web
Recorder -- responsible for documenting the information
Co-pilot -- responsible for assessing validity of the information once the team determines level of importance
The Technology: Your group will utilize our classroom computers and iPads to search at least 5 websites. By the 4th day of our research, your group will organize all notes and findings and analyze them to ensure they are valid and thorough enough to use to create a 3D web model of the Earth to present to the groups of scientists. Additionally, you must come up with a list of questions you would like to ask the scientists. Your list should be at least 5-7 questions long.
The Product: The final part of your mission is to create a tri-fold brochure that explains the layers of the Earth. Be sure to explain the part each layer plays in the make-up of our Earth and why each part is important. Use the answers to the questions to assist you in this process.
Process
The Quest Begins!
Your goals for this task are to:
- Identify the layers that make up the Earth’s interior (inside the Earth)
- Discover what each layer is made of
- Determine the state of matter of each layer (is it a solid, liquid, or gas?)
- Use your learning to create a 3D web model and trifold brochure
- Work collaboratively as a group
- Have Fun!
Watch Out!
First, watch this intro video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9j1xGaxYzY (If the link doesn’t work, copy/paste the link into your search bar.)
What do Scientists Know – and HOW do they know it?
Check out this site to learn about the earth’s layers in more detail and answer the questions. (If the link doesn’t work, copy/paste the link into your search bar.)
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/0020-crust-mantel-core.php
How far down have scientists ever dug? _____________
How do we know about the many layers of the earth if we have never dug down that deeply?
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The Inside Scoop!
In the link below, click on Earth Science tab, then the Layers of the Earth tab to find out more information about the inner workings of our earth.
http://www.sciencemonster.com/earth-science/layers-of-the-earth.html
Fill in the chart below about the four layers: 
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Name |
Thickness |
One fact |
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Now, answer these questions:
If you started digging through earth, how far would you be able to get? _________
Why would you have to stop? ____________________________________________
How is the earth’s mantle like Silly Putty?
___________________________________________________________________
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Name one new, cool fact about one of the earth’s layer.
___________________________________________________________________
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Rap it Up!
Watch this Rap Song and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiHRI_Z2Kgs&feature=youtu.be (If the link doesn’t work, copy/paste the link into your search bar.)
Listen to the song and fill in the blanks below:
1. Crust moving ‘cause of _________________ __________________. 2. The core is really ___________________ and _________________. 3. _________________ crust the densest and the skinniest. 4. The continents fit together something like a ___________________. 5. When the rock breaks, there’s a crack called a ______________
Peachy Keen!
Click on this link to watch a short video and answer the questions below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAITe0MImY (If the link doesn’t work, copy/paste the link into your search bar.)
1. Describe or sketch how a peach represents a model of the earth:
2. Earth is layered the way it is because of ____________________________.
3. The (tectonic) plates are in __________________________ movement.
4. How did the experiment with different liquids help demonstrate the earth’s layers?
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Whadya Know?
After reading through all the sites above, click on this quiz to see how much you now know about the earth’s layers? It’s not graded, so just have fun!
http://www.sciencemonster.com/earth-science/layers-of-the-earth-quiz.html
Evaluation
Student Assessment
Every student will receive a grade for their task sheet and trifold brochure, which includes proper grammar/mechanics. Then, you will receive a group grade for your teamwork and the 3-D web model. Please use the rubric below to guide your work and help you self-assess your performance.
Digging Deep to Find the Earth’s Layers
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Superior Work! |
Great Job |
Some Good Work |
Refocus Here |
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Task Sheet and Trifold Brochure (individual grade) |
All questions on the task sheet were answered completely and thoughtfully. Trifold brochure includes all important information |
All questions on the task question were answered completely, but responses were not as thoughtful as could be. Trifold brochure includes most important information |
Some areas of the task sheet were not addressed and/or responses were not complete or thoughtful. Trifold brochure is missing key information. |
The task sheet is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into answering questions. Trifold brochure contains little information. |
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Grammar and Mechanics (individual grade) |
The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. |
The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. |
The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. |
The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. |
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3-D Web Model (group grade) |
The model represents all elements of the task correctly and clearly. |
The model represents most elements of the task correctly, but some elements may not be clear. |
The model represents some elements of the task; some of the information may not be correct. |
The model contains only a few elements of the task; several areas incorrect and unclear. |
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Teamwork (group grade) |
The team worked well together with each member fulfilling his or her role to the best level possible. |
The team worked well together, but could have utilized each other's skills to a better degree. |
The task is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into answering questions |
The final product is not the result of a collaborative effort. The group showed no evidence of collaboration. |
Conclusion
Well? What do you think? Is our Earth more like an Oreo cookie or a seven-layer cookie? I hope that the process of finding out was fun for you.
Understanding the make up of our Earth is important for all of us. Just as we need to know about the inside of the human body and how each part supports the other, so, too, do we need to understand the inside of our planet. It's an important part of keeping it in good shape for us. And isn't it amazing that we know all these things about the inside of the earth without ever having gone inside? It just shows you the miracle of our earth and the amazing elements of science that allow us to know about things we can't even see!
Credits
Our Earth's Layers, Volcano World, Oregon State University, accessed on February 3, 2016. http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/
YouTube video, accessed on February 1, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9j1xGaxYzY
Geology for Kids, the Study of our Earth, GeoKids.com, accessed on February 2, 2016. http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/0020-crust-mantel-core.php
Science Monster.com, Cool Math for Kids, accessed on February 3, 2016. http://www.sciencemonster.com/earth-science/layers-of-the-earth.html
YouTube video, accessed on February 1, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiHRI_Z2Kgs&feature=youtu.be
Universe Today, Space and Astronomy News, accessed on February 2, 2016. http://www.universetoday.com/61200/earths-layers/
YouTube video, accessed on Feruary 1, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAITe0MImY