Layers of the Earth

Teacher: Miss Bailey Marcotte

Date: October 28, 2015
Subject / grade level: Science- 4th grade
Materials:
- 1 paper plate per student
- 1 Glue bottle per student
- 1 set of play dough for each pair ( purple, red, yellow, white)
- 1 layers of the Earth template per student
- Scissors per each student
- 1 ScienceSaurus textbook per pair
- 1 iPad per pair
Olathe Grade 4 Earth- Space Science Standard
- 4.Sc.E.K.3 = Model and describe the layers of the earth.
- RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says
explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- W.4.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant
information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information,
and provide a list of sources.

Lesson objective(s):
- The students will be able to model the four layers of Earth.
- The students will be able to correctly name the four layers of earth.
- The students will be able to write a 3 sentence describing and/or explaining the
function of each layer.

Differentiation strategies to meet diverse learner needs:

- There are two students who are at a lower level than other students. These two
students will be paired with a student who is at a higher level. The pairs are
already formed. The students will be working with their face partners (the person
sitting directly in front of them at their table). This will allow the pairings to be
done discretely. There is a para in the room for one of the students. The para will
check on this student, as well as the teacher, to prompt and keep this student on
task.

ENGAGEMENT
The play dough will be set out on their desk.
The teacher will start by telling the students that they will be making a model of
the layers of Earth using play dough.
Ask students if they can name the layers of earth. With their partner, the
students will name the layers that they can using the App on the iPad called,
1

Layers of the Earth

Educreations.
The teacher will walk around the room to check student responses.

EXPLORATION
The teacher will model how to create the first two layers so students understand
how to build the model.
The students will use their text ScienceSaurus to create a play dough model of
the layers of Earth.
There will be a key on the board of what color each layer should be.
Its the students responsibility to put these colors/layers in the correct sequence.

EXPLANATION
The teacher will complete this part after the elaboration stage, once all students
have created their model and have written their descriptions.
The teacher will ask what information did you find about the layers of Earth?
What did you learn about the inner-core? Outer core? Mantle? And crust?
What observations did you notice while creating your model?

ELABORATION
The students will use their SciencSaurus text book to write their descriptions for
each layer. This information is found on pages: 158-159.

EVALUATION
The teacher will check that the students have created their Earth model with the
correct layers.
The teacher will check that the model is labeled correctly on the paper plate.
The teacher will check the description that goes with each layer. Looking for
three sentences that correctly correspond with that layer.