Journey to the Center of Earth

By Kelly Kupferschmid

EDU 553

1/15/02

Layers of the Earth

• Outer Crust

• Inner Crust

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Outer Crust

• This is the layer that we live on

• The thickness ranges from five miles under the oceans to 25 miles under the continents

• Consists of cooled rock

• It is the thinnest layer of the earth

The Mantle

• This layer is semi- liquid

• It consists of magnesium, iron, and silicon

• It is 3000 km wide• It is more solid closer

to the surface

The Outer Core

• This is consists of liquid due to the high temperatures

• It is 2100 km wide

• This layer consists of nickel and iron

The Inner Core

• This layer is solid.

• The reason it is solid is due to the high pressure exerted on it from the outside layers.

• It consists of the metals nickel and iron.

• Its temperature is 6,000 degree Celsius.

• Its width is 2,100 km.

Activity # 1- Making a Cross Section

• Identify the layers of the earth (crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core).

• Look at an apple

• Identify the skin (crust)

• Identify the apple (mantle)

• Identify the outside of the seeds (outer core).

• Identify the inside of the seeds (inner core).

Activity #2- Making Flash Cards

• Listen to the book “Magic School Bus- Inside the Earth.”

• Make a list of the earth’s characteristics.

• Get into groups of four.• Make flash cards using the

information form the book.

• Quiz each other and see who gets the most correct.

Activity #3- Making a Model of the Earth

• Review the characteristics of the layers of the earth.

• Choose four facts that you wish to discuss.

• Make a poster of the earth, its layers, and the information that you chose.

Assessment

• Have students present his/her poster or earth creation.

• Grade them on the responses to the flashcards.

• Play a game that involves questions about the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.