When introducing the structure of the Earth, a diagram is essential to helping students visually understand each part. In this activity, students will label a model of the Earth. Students should include a description of each part in addition to the label and arrow.
To scaffold this activity for students who need support, provide labels to add to the diagram. To stretch your more advanced students, have them compare the structure of Earth to the structure of another planet in our solar system, like Jupiter.
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Crust | The crust is a solid layer of rock on the surface of the planet. The thickness varies between 3 and 30 miles. |
| Mantle | The mantle is a semi-liquid layer of magma, or molten rock, that moves due to convection currents. |
| Outer Core | The outer core is the liquid part of the core which has a similar composition to the inner core. |
| Inner Core | The inner core is the solid part at the center of the Earth. It is made of iron and nickel and has temperatures reaching 5,500°C. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Identify and describe the parts of the Earth in a storyboard.