Lesson Title: Earths Layers

Big Idea: Identify location of Earths different layers and their purpose

Grade: 3rd

Time Allotment: 45 minutes

Overview:
Summary: As a group, the class will read a flap up book, Planet Earth
by Mike Goldsmith and Nicki Palin. We will quickly review what we have
learned about inside our earth. After, the students will create mini half
sphere replicas of the earth and its layers using clay.

Instructional Artifacts: Clay (red, orange, yellow, brown/black, blue,

green), Planet Earth by Mike Goldsmith and Nicki Palin, large labeled
print out of the earths layers.

Key Concepts: The students will learn about the components of the
earth and their purposes through a read aloud book as well as create
their own model to show understanding and reference.

Essential Questions: What is the earth made up of underneath? How

many layers are there and how large is each? What are the purposes of
these different layers?

Instructional Procedures:
1. Introduction: To begin, I will introduce what we will be learning about
today and gather the students onto the rug for a class reading of
Planet Earth by Mike Goldsmith and Nicki Palin. I will read the book and
ask for participation throughout.

2. As we finish reading, we will briefly review what we learned and go

over a few key ideas as well as the layers.

3. Development: I will hang up a large labeled print out of the center of

the earth on display so the children will be able to reference it. I will
then introduce the art activity we will be completing.

4. I will explain they will be creating their own half spherical models of
the layers using appropriate colored clay for each layer, they will be
instructed to make it about the size of their hand. I will let them know
they must attempt to make measurements and sizes of the layers as
accurate as they can to the picture on display.

5. I will pass out clay materials to each table and walk around as they
are working on it.

6. Closure: As the students finish, they will come back on the rug with
their models. As a class, we will review the layers and each student will
point to the layer on their model accordingly as we go over them

Objectives
Skills, Knowledge and Dispositions: Students will demonstrate
knowledge of concepts such as reading comprehension, Earths
geography, and clay sculpting. They will use their understanding of the
earth through the book and visual skills in order to complete the art
project. Students will also be using fine motor skills by making the
sculpture. They will be graded informally on their participation during
reading and completeness with the project.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Students will be using reading, artistic,

and geography skills during this lesson. They will use readings skills by
comprehending the book and the information it gives about the earth.
Students will use artistic skills when creating the sculpture and
geography by using their knowledge from the text in order to create
the art aspect.

Standards
 Geography:
Standard - 7.1.2.B
Describe regions in geographic reference using physical features.

Standard - 7.2.2.A
Identify the physical characteristics of places.

Arts

Standard - 9.1.3.B

Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts

elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in
the arts.

Visual Arts: paint draw craft sculpt print design for

environment, communication, multi-media

Standard - 9.1.3.H
A Handle materials, equipment and tools safely at work and performance
spaces.
A
& Standard -- 9.1.8.A
A Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create
works in the arts and humanities.
A

Assessment: Informal- I will measure achievement in simple ways like

whether or not they followed directions, their active participation in
group conversation, and their completion of the art project. I will
observe their progress as they are working with the clay and have
some informal conferences as well. After we come back together as I
group I will check for completion and accuracy.

Adaptations
Students who finish early: Students who finish early will spend free
time doing independent reading or writing on the rug.
Students who need more time: Students who need more time will be
allowed to use the next free allotted reading/writing or independent
reading time to finish their sculptures.