Lesson Title: Layers of the Earth

Lesson Title: Layers of the Earth
Subject Area / Course / Grade Level: Science 5th Grade
Lesson Length: 1 hr.
Materials: Whoppers, Rice Crispy Cereal, Peanutbutter, Paper Plates, Spoon, Computer with Internet Access, Speakers, Projector, Document Camera, Access to http://www.learn360.com , Scientist Notebooks, Pencils and Exit Ticket
WARNING: SOME STUDENTS HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES. IT CAN EVEN BE HARMFUL FOR THEM TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM SOMETIMES. MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK WITH THE NURSE AND SEND HOME A LETTER FOR STUDENTS TO GET SIGNED BEFORE THE ACTIVITY.
Lesson Overview: TTW begin class with an, "Attention Getter.” Next, TLW take a pre-assessment of the lesson. TTW go over the objectives for the day. TLW make a model of the layers of the earth using food. TLW watch a Learn 360 video. Finally, TLW review the Pre-assessment questions to see what they know now that the lesson has been taught. Also, TTW answer an “Exit Question.”
Tennessee Standards: Science – GLE 0507.7.1 Compare geologic events responsible for the earth’s major geological features. S.P.I. 0507.7.1 Describe internal forces such as volcanoes, earthquakes, faulting, and plate movements that are responsible for the earth’s major geological features such as mountains, valleys, etc.
Lesson objective(s): TLW construct a model of the earth using food. TLW compare geologic events responsible for the earth’s geological features. TLW define faulting and plate movement. TLW describe internal forces such as volcanoes, earthquakes, faulting, and plate movements that are responsible for the earth’s major geological features such as mountains, valleys, etc.
Engagement: TTW have questions posted around the classroom (see attachment). TTW have one question on each sheet of paper, so that there are eight sheets of paper with a question on each one. Below the question the teacher has the words “TRUE” and “FALSE.” She/ He will have no more than four students at each question. The student will write a tally mark under “TRUE” or “FALSE,” then wait until the teacher signals the students to move to the next question in the clockwise direction. (I usually use a bell.) When students have answered all of the question, TTW instruct them to have a seat. TTW explain that we will go over these questions at the end of class as a post-assessment.
Exploration: TTW demonstrate how to use a whopper, peanutbutter, and rice crispy cereal to construct a model of the layers of the earth. (You roll the whopper in the peanut butter, then roll that in the ceral.) The cereal is the crust, the peanut butter is the mantle, and the whopper is the core. TLW make a model, also. Next, TLW watch a Learn 360 video called Earthquakes & Volcanoes on http://www.learn360.com. (You may want to have the questions from the video on a paper for the students.)
The "big idea" question is: What geologic events are responsible for the earth’s major geological features?
Explanation: TTW write the following question on the board: Pretend like you are teaching someone for the first time the layers of the earth using food. Describe how you would teach them. Explain how volcanoes and earthquakes can change how the earth looks.
Elaboration: TLW draw in his/her Scientist Notebook a picture of the model that was made using food. TLW label each layer of the earth. TLW write the following vocabulary words and definitions in their scientist notebooks: plate movement and faulting.
TLW will see on the news events such as volcanoes erruptions and earthquakes. They may even experience an earthquake.
Evaluation: TTW display the pre-assessment questions under the document camera. She/He will ask the student to vote on what they think the answer is by raising his/her hand. Also, TTW display the answers that were written when the students completed the pre-assessment, so that TTW be able to see how much they have learned.
TLW answer the following Exit Question: Name one geological event that is responsible for a earth’s major geological feature. Describe how this event changes how the earth looks. TLW write his/her answer using complete sentences.