Exploring Earth and it's Interior!

Introduction

Welcome to your new journey as a geologist! You have been given the task of exploring the multiple layers of planet Earth. Find out information about each layerof the Earth and some facts that you find to be interesting!

Task

  • Find the names of each of Earth's layer
  • Identify key attributes of each layer
  • Create you own model of the Earth and its layers (you can draw your own, use the computer to create a model, or any other method you can think pf, dont be afraid to be creative!!!)

  • Use these links as guiding points to find the information 

http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/structure.html

http://scign.jpl.nasa.gov/learn/plate1.htm

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/inside.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9j1xGaxYzY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukqe_6L9V54&feature=related

Process

EXPLORATION

Get into groups of 2 or 3. Each of you is to define the following words: inner core, outer core, mantle, crust, lithosphere, and asthenosphere.EXPLANATIONThis is where your group will create the model. Remember you can create the model in any way that you'd like as long as it shows Earth's structure!

Evaluation

 
 
Evaluation Rubric
  Beginning 1 Developing 2 Very Good 3 Examplary 4 Score
Content Did not label any layers of the Earth. Labeled and demonstrated the layers of the Earth, but did not label correctly. Labeled and demonstrated about the layers of the Earth. Labeled, demonstrated and explained a detailed description about the internal layers of the Earth.
Cooperation Only one group member participated and presented the material. Some of the group members participated and presented the material. All of the group members participated and presented the material. All of the group members participated and presented the material in great detail.
Creativity Students did not use any materials. Students used very little materials. Students used a variety of materials. Students used a wide variety of materials.
Questions & Comments No group members responded, but the compliments give the group members responded in a good manner. One group member gave a response and compliments given the group member responded in a good manner. Some good members gave a response and compliments given the group responded in a good manner. All group members gave a response and compliments given, the group responded in a good manner.
Total Score: 16

Conclusion

You will gain knowledge of the layers of Earth's Internal Structure and their definitions. Most importantly, You will be reminded that our Earth has more to it than bodies of water and land. It is the inside that counts!!

Credits

Teacher Page

Exploration
1. Put students into teams (a group of 2 or 3). Let the students choose.
2. Students simply write the definitions of the keywords in their notebooks
3. Using the computer, students will use the links provided to research the Earth's internal structure.
4. Tell the students they will have 20 minutes to do their research. 
5. Allow students to take notes, draw and or create a graphic organizer if needed.
Explanation
Gather all the information from their research time and collaborate their findings. Students will create a model of the Earth's internal structure and present to the class. 
Evaluation
Meets the qualifications stated on the rubric.
Materials and Resources
-Computers
-Paper
-Pencil
-Wide variety of materials (clay, foam balls, paint, paintbrushes, colors, markers, glue, map colors)
Overall Evaluation
The rubric in the evaluation is to evaluate the student's performances containing the content (the TEKS and objectives), participation, creativity and questions and comments.  Based on the teams performances indicates the result of the presentation to the class. 
Conclusion
Students have learned the Earth's Internal Structure, the name of the proper layers indicating their definitions and information about it. Students researching and creating a drawing with a product of creating a 3D model.