Thanks
Connect
Thank you for downloading
my product. I truly
appreciate your support
and look forward to
hearing your feedback.
You can connect with me and find
many free activities and strategies over
at my blog KeslerScience.com
I look forward helping you focus your
instruction while saving tons of time.
You Might Also Like
All 8 INB Notebook
Templates
35% Savings!
Kesler Science
Station Lab Activities
40%+ Savings!
Engaging Lessons for
Busy Teachers
Kesler Science Station Lab – Layers of the
Earth
If you have never used my Kesler Science Station Labs before please
download the FREE Start-Up pack from my TPT store. It will provide you
with all of the signage and best practices in order to run the station
labs in your classroom.
The large directions cards included in this file are intended to be read
by the leader of the group once the students get to the station. The
smaller task cards can be read by another group member.
I prefer that each student do their own lab write-up (included at the
end of this file), so that they may use it for reference at a later date.
The answer key is provided at the end of the document.
Lastly, if any of the internet resources no longer work for some reason
please let me know via email at [email protected]. I cannot
guarantee that all resources will be available, but I tried to choose
ones that have been around for many years.
Kesler Science Station Lab – Properties of
Earth’s Layers – Teacher Directions
Explore It! – I will spend much of my time
at this station making sure the students
the layers of the Earth and not messing
around. Ideally you would want a 3-d
model of the Earth (Styrofoam, ball), but I
have also included a printableimage to
use.
Illustrate It! – I do not have them draw
out the continents due to time
constraints.
Read It! – Print several different copies (I
use 6) of the reading passage so that
multiple students can read at different
paces
Watch It! – The video is on YouTube and
my Google drive. Use the YouTube link
unless your school is blocked. The
original link is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W
wiiOjyfvAU
Organize It! – The cards for this activity are
attached near the end of this file. Print
several sets and then just put them in the
basket for kids to pull from. This is also a
good one for later in the week to
demonstrate mastery too! Students should
be encouraged to do the Research and
Explore station before attempting this
one. I like to label the backs with set
numbers because they will get mixed up.
Write It! – Students should be encouraged
to do the Research and Explore station
before attempting this one.
Research It! – The goo.gl link on the task
card is case-sensitive. The original link is
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/606/d
eploy/interface.html
Assess It! – Students should be
encouraged to do the Research and
Explore station before attempting this
one. If I grade anything I usually take a
close look at the answers from this station.
Write It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed
at least two of the following stations before
working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Answer each of the task card questions on
the lab sheet in complete sentences.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Why does the Earth have
different layers?
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
How is density related to the
layers of the Earth?
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
List the layers of the Earth and
provide a short description of
each layer starting with the
center of the Earth.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Assess It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed
at least two of the following stations before
working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Each member will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the Assess
It! section.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Which layer plays the
greatest role in the
movement of tectonic
plates?
Put the layers of Earth in order
from densest to least dense.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Crust, Mantle, Inner core,Outer core
Inner core, Mantle, Outer core,Crust
Crust, Mantle, Outer core,Inner core
Inner core, Outer core,Mantle, Crust
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Which two elements
are mainly found in the
inner and outer core?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Fe and Ni
Fe and Si
Ni and Si
Ni and C
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
A.
B.
C.
D.
Crust
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Why is the inner core
solid?
A. Even though it is as hot as the
surface of the Sun, it has immense
pressure upon it.
B. Iron and Nickel are only solid
C. Because Nickel is not dense
D. Because it is made up of mostly
granite and basalt ©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Read It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will read the
passage and answer the questions from the
task cards on the lab sheet in the Read It!
section.
It is important to remember that the answers
will come directly from the reading passage.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Modern scientists have come up with ingenious ways to study Earth’s
layers. Geologists, for example, have long used seismic waves to
learn about what lies below Earth’s surface. seismic waves are the
types of waves produced by earthquakes and other tectonic plate
movements that occur below Earth’s surface. By measuring seismic
waves, scientists can learn a lot about the composition of Earth’s
subsurface layers. Because the layers are made up of different
materials that vary in thickness, researchers are able to analyze the
ways in which seismic waves bounce off the boundaries between
various layers.
Earth’s core is about the size of Pluto. Given the thousands of miles of
rock and other materials that separate those of us on the surface from
the core, it might as well be as far away as Pluto! How can we really
know anything about it?
How do scientists know how hot Earth’s core is? They can’t see it. They
can’t dig down deep enough to use a thermometer to measure its
temperature.
Despite the fact it's right under our feet, Earth’s core isinaccessible.
If you’ve ever dug a hole in your backyard, you know that digging can
be a lot of work. It can be fun, though, to see what lies below the
surface. Your hole probably consisted mainly of dirt and possibly a few
rocks along the way.
The deeper you dig, the harder it is to see to the bottom of the hole
you’re digging. Unless you climb down into the hole, it also gets
harder to dig the deeper you go. That’s why people who dig holes for
a living, such as coal mines and water wells, use specialized
equipment that allows them to dig really deep holes. Even the
deepest coal mines and water wells, though, barely scratch the
surface of what lies beneath Earth’s outer layer, called the crust.
What’s beneath your feet right now? Carpet? Tile? A concrete
sidewalk? Grass, dirt, and leaves? No matter what you’re standing on
right now, you’re standing at the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.
Whether you realize it or not, there are thousands of miles of Earth
below your feet made up of all sorts of materials, including soil, rock,
rivers of water, volcanic lava, and solid iron to name just a few.
The Layers of the Earth
What would be the
best title for this
passage?
How do scientists know
how hot the core is?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Thermometers
Seismic waves
Oil wells
Measure the electromagnetic
spectrum
A. How Scientists Explore the Inside
of Earth
B. Details about Each of the Earth’s
Layers
C. Tectonic Plate Mania
D. The Rock Cycle
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
The Earth’s core is
about the size of
________________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Saturn
Pluto
The United States
New York City
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
The deepest wells
and holes can make
it to which layer?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Crust
Mantle
Inner Core
Outer Core
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Watch It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will go to the
website listed on task card #1
Complete the task cards in order.
Every student will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the Watch
It! section of the lab sheet.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
YouTube https://goo.gl/N9Mkhu
G Drive https://goo.gl/pvxi4A
URL is case-sensitive
1. Click Play on the video.
2. Answer questions from cards
#2-4 on your lab sheet.
How far have humans been
able to drill into the Earth?
YouTube
What scientific principle causes
the different layers of the Earth?
Which two elements are found
in the inner core?
Solid or liquid?
Research It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will go to the
website listed on task card #1
Complete the task cards in order.
Every student will answer the questions from
the task cards on the lab sheet in the
Research It! section.
1. Go to http://goo.gl/92fH4m
2. Click through each of the
layers and listen to the
information about each layer.
3. Answer the questions on the
following cards.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1.
2.
Which layer of the Earth contains
convection currents?
Compare the density of the outer
core to the density of the crust,
mantle and inner core.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
1. What is the average thickness
of the Earth’s crust?
2. What causes the lithosphere
to move?
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Explore It! Station Directions
One member of the group will read the task
cards in order. The group will be responsible
for completing each of the tasks that are
being read.
Each member of the group will then write
their conclusions down on the lab sheet in
the Explore It! section.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Layer 1 is called the Earth’s
crust. It is the thinnest layer
and made up of mostly
granite and basalt.
1. Look at the model provided for
you and answer the questions
about the layers of the Earth on
your lab sheet.
If you think about the outer layer of an
apple, the Earth’s crust would be
compared to that.
1.
Do you think this the densest layer
of least dense layer? Why?
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Layer 2 is called the Earth’s
mantle. It is the thickest
layer and made up of
mostly magma, which is
lava within the Earth.
There are convection currents in the
mantle that cause the tectonic plates
to move as the heat flows.
2.
Why do you think we know very
little about the mantle?
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Layer 3 is called the Earth’s
outer core. It is made up of
mostly liquid Iron and Nickel.
Scientists believe the magnetic properties
of the Earth are caused by this layer of the
Earth.
3.
Why do you think the outer core is liquid
and the inner core is solid?
Layer 4 is called the Earth’s
inner core. It is made up of
mostly solid Iron and Nickel.
It is the Earth’s densest layer. Even
though it’s as hot as the surface of the
Sun, it is solid.
4.
How do you think scientists are able
to study the center of the Earth?
1
2
3
4
Illustrate It! Station Directions
Each member of the group will draw a quick
sketch on the lab sheet the shows they
understand the concept that is being taught.
Use the colored pencils and markers that are
provided.
The directions for the sketch are provided on
the task card at the table.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Illustrate It! Station Directions
Sketch the diagram on your page and label each of the
layers. You DO NOT need to draw the continents.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Organize It! Station Directions
It is recommended that you have completed at least two
of the following stations before working at this station.
-Read It!
-Explore It!
-Watch It!
-Research It!
Every student will answer the questions from the task cards
on the lab sheet in the Organize It! Section.
Please mix up the cards again before the next group
arrives at this station.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Match the Earth’s layers with
the correct descriptions.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Have the teacher check your
cards to ensure it is correct.
They will sign your lab sheet in
the Organize It area.
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Earth’s Crust
Thinnest layer of the Earth
Composed of mostly granite and
basalt
Mantle
Contains convection currents that move
the tectonic plates
Made up of mostly magma
Inner Core
Made up of mostly liquid iron and
nickel
The densest layer of the Earth
Outer Core
Made up of mostly solid Iron and
Nickel
TaskCard#1:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TaskCard#2:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TaskCard#3:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
TaskCard#5:
4.
TaskCard#3:
2.
Write It!
TaskCard#4:
3.
Name_______________________
TaskCard#2:
1.
Explore It!
Earth’s Layers
Organize It!
TaskCard#2:
1.
2.
2.
TaskCard#3:
1.
#1_____
#3_____
Read It!
#2_____
#4_____
Name_______________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
#2_____
#4_____
Research It!
#1_____
#3_____
Assess It!
Illustrate It!
Earth’s Layers
Name_______________________
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
TaskCard#2:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TaskCard#3:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TaskCard#4:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Watch It!
Earth’s Layers
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Task Card #3:
Density is related to the layers of the Earth because the denser layers
are made up of different elements and are found closer to the center
of the Earth. The least dense layer is the Earth’s crust.
Task Card #2:
The inner core is made up of solid nickel and iron and is the most dense
layer. The outer layer is made of up mostly liquid nickel and iron. The
mantle is made up of mostly magma and is the largest layer. The upper
layer is often called the asthenosphere and contains convection currents
which power the movement of the tectonic plates. The Earth’s crust is
made up of mostly basalt and granite and is the thinnest layer of the
Earth. It is often referred to as the lithosphere.
Task Card #1:
____The Earth has different layers because each layer of the Earth is made
up of different elements and has a different density. The more dense layers
are towards the middle of the Earth.
Write It!
Write It!
Students may not know the answers to the explore it! Station
questions, and that’s totally OK. I want them to think critically
and see what kinds of answers they can come up with on
their own.
Explore It!
Earth's Layers Answer Key
#2__B___
#4__A___
Crust
#2__A___
#4__A___
OuterCore– liquidFeand Ni
InnerCore– solidFeandNi,densest
layer
TaskCard#3:
1. Mantle
2. Outercoreisdenserthanthe
crustandmantlebutlessdense
thantheinnercore.
#1__B___
#3__B___
Read It!
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
Crust– thinnest,madeup of
mostlygraniteandbasalt.
Mantle– convectioncurrents,
thickestlayer,madeupofmostly
magma
Organize It!
TaskCard#2:
1. 5-100km
2. Convectioncurrents
Research It!
#1__D___
#3__A___
Assess It!
Illustrate It!
Earth’s Layers Answer Key
©KeslerScience.com, 2015
TheyareinaSOLIDstateof matter.
TaskCard#2:
Humanshavebeenabletodrillabout1/3oftheway
throughthe crust.
TaskCard#3:
Densityisthe scientific principle. Thedenser the layer,
thecloseritisthecenterofthe Earth.
TaskCard#4:
NickelandIronareinthecenterofthe Earth.
Watch It!
Earth’s Layers Answer Key