The Layers of the Earth
Fourth Grade
Name: Cecila Rusher and Holli Patton Date: 10/23/09 Age/ Grade Level: 4th grade
# of Students: 29
#IEP: 7
#GSSP: 1
#LEP Students: 0
Subject: Science
Lesson Length: 1 Hour Lesson Title: The Layers of the Earth
Context:
This lesson is the fourth of a series on the layers of the earth. Students have spent time
reading, watching video clips, and doing activities throughout the week before this lesson is
taught. The activity is to give students a better understanding of the size relationships between
each layer of the earth. Then, the student presentation is included to serve as a review for the
information they have learned throughout the week.
Peach Activity- during this lesson students will complete a peach activity that will help illustrate
the different layers of the earth. For this part of the lesson provide 1 peach per 2-3 students, 1
plastic knife, and several paper towels. It would be good to model this activity before allowing
the students to begin. To complete the activity:
1. Cut a vertical slice from the peach so that a wedge has been removed.
2. Look into the cut portion of the peach and compare/ contrast each layer of the earth
with the different layers of the peach.
3. Take the hard shell out of the center of the peach and try and cut it in half. You should
find a smaller seed.
4. As students complete this activity discuss how these layers of a peach can relate to
those of the earth. What makes the peach a good/bad model?
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Earth
Crust
Mantle
Inner Core
Outer Core
Peach
Peel
Pulp
Outer shell of
seed
Seed
Objectives:


1. Students will be able to describe each layer of the earth (crust, mantle, outer core,
inner core) by discussing at least 3 characteristics of each.
2. Students will be able to name which layer of the peach represents each layer of the
earth (crust, mantle, inner core, outer core) and explain their reasoning why.
Standards/Connections:
SC-04-2.3.2
The Layers of the Earth
Fourth Grade
Students will describe and explain consequences of changes to the surface of the Earth,
including some common fast changes (e.g., landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes), and
some common slow changes (e.g., erosion, weathering).
SC-04-2.3.1
 classify earth materials by the ways that they are used;
 Explain how their properties make them useful for different purposes.
Materials
 Plastic knives (65)
 Peaches (50)
 Science Journals (one per student)
 Science literacy sheet (100 copies)
 Paper towels
 Large white paper (30 sheets)
Procedures:
1. Remind the students that they have been learning about the layers of the earth and
what they will be doing today to learn more about this topic and review the previous
information they have learned.
2. Explain to the class that as a review they will each be put into a small group where they
are going to come up with characteristics of their assigned layer of the earth. There will
be 2 different groups assigned to each layer.
3. Divide the students into their groups.
4. Distribute the markers and 1 sheet of flip-chart paper to each group.
5. Walk around to the groups as they complete their list.
6. Have one student from each group come to the front of the class to present their list.
Have the representatives from each group that were assigned to the same earth layer
come up together (ex. Have both representatives come up front that did the mantle
layer.) This will allow students to compare lists and make sure both groups agree on the
same information.
7. During the presentations have students create a chart in their science journal that
contains each group’s information about the specific layers of the earth.
8. Leave posters on the board for students to refer back to.
9. Then, explain the peach activity to the class. Model how to cut open the peach so that
students can see the different layers.
10. Explain how the students should complete their science literacy sheet.
11. Have students pair up with a partner to complete this activity.
12. Pass out 1 peach, 2 paper towels, and one plastic knife, and 2 science literacy sheets to
each group.
The Layers of the Earth
Fourth Grade
13. Once the students have their materials and they have began their activity walk around
the classroom and observe the conclusions that the students make. Assist those that
need help.
14. After students are finished then have them clean up their desks and complete their
questions and observation page. The students will also create a written report of their
conclusion in their science journal.
15. Prompt questions and have students explain their findings. Make sure to ask, “Which
layer of the peach they thought was most similar to each layer of the earth, why?”
16. Fill in any important information they may have left out and conclude the lesson.
Assessment
Objective Number
Type of
Assessment
Assessment Title/
Description
Depth of
Knowledge
1
Formative
DOK 2
2
Formative
Group Poster/
Journal Writing
Peach Project
Adaptations
and/or
Accommodations
DOK 2
The group review activity is a formative assessment as well as the teacher observations
and class discussion from the peach activity. The group review will assess what the
students know about a specific layer of the earth and then their knowledge pertaining to
the other layers will be reinforced during the poster presentations. The journal entry will
show what the knowledge of individual students. It is also important for the teacher to
walk around the class and observe the student-to-student discussions during both
activities. Notice which students are participating and which ones are not taking part in the
activities.
Science Literacy
Students will record their observations during the peach activity. This will require them
to make detailed observations and be able to accurately record them. Students will also
construct a chart in their science journals that will contain each group’s information about
the different layers of the earth. At the end of the peach activity students will record their
findings and their conclusion to the peach activity. This will require that they defend the
conclusion that they make (i.e. the peel of the peach represents the crust because…).
Reflection
The class that we presented this lesson to did very well staying on task and working in
groups and with partners. The group posters were a good review but next time I would
encourage students to use their book first before I handed out additional information. This
is because I think they relied too heavily on the short paragraphs of information we gave
The Layers of the Earth
Fourth Grade
them. The peach activity also went over well. It was simple to explain, didn’t take a lot of
time, and students were able to make connections. If I used this activity again I would
model the entire activity with the class before allowing them to start. I also think the
discussion at the end of the class was crucial for students to express their own
observations that they made during the peach activity.