Our Earth is a pretty special planet. Underneath the crust, where we all live and breathe, are several complex layers that each have unique properties. The way the earth moves and the way our continents and countries look today are due to the intricate workings of these layers. The following activities will ignite a natural curiosity in your students to want to find out more about how the earth works. Follow along for 16 incredible layers of the Earth activities!
1. Layers of the Earth Geology Craft
For your younger students, start by creating a simple spin wheel incorporating the layers of the earth. You will need some colored paper, scissors, and a card, as well as a paper fastener to put the layers together. Whilst making the spin wheel you can begin to tell your students what the different features of the earth are called.
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2. Playdough Model
Learners of all ages will enjoy creating their very own miniature earth using different layers of playdough. The fun part comes along when students cut open their models and see the layers inside. You can extend this lesson by asking the students to label each section and explaining what each section does.
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3. Compliment the practical with a worksheet
As this topic can be very hands-on, it is sometimes useful to have an accompanying worksheet to color and label too. These worksheets have 3D layers and simple 2D drawings to complement a variety of learners.
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4. How do we Know? Research Activity
Inquiry is a great way to foster independence and curiosity. Many students will not know that the earth has layers, so why not have them do some research before you teach the topic? You can provide them with a YouTube video to watch and produce a list of questions to investigate.
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5. Trickier Worksheets
Sometimes we all need that extra challenge. These worksheets are a little wordier, with some higher thinking activities for your students; linking to geology and the layers of the Earth. Useful as consolidation quizzes or homework activities too!
Learn more: Live Worksheets
6. Edible Layers of the Earth Project
For our younger students, it’s sometimes a little tricky to teach overly specific information. Why not introduce the project with some edible, baked treats and begin discovering the layers of the earth in a practical way whilst cooking?
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7. Accurate 3D Paper Models
This is one for the older, more mathematically-minded students! This is a 3D model of the Earth paper activity. It incorporates mathematical knowledge by asking learners to calculate the correct thickness of the layers before they label and color them.
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8. Online Quizzes
Wordwall has a fantastic collection of free online quizzes to test your student’s knowledge about the layers and structure of the earth. They can time themselves answering a series of multiple-choice questions, and even race against a friend.
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9. Foldable Earth Model
This simple, yet effective foldable model shows the layers of the Earth, beneath a picture of the planet. Why not extend learning further and label continents and oceans too!
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10. Earth Word Search
Develop scientific and geographical vocabulary with this colorful and engaging word search. It includes all the keywords from the Earth layers topic. Introduce a timer or have your learners compete in pairs to make this even more exciting.
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11. Earth Layers Card Sort
Think the students now know their stuff? Test their knowledge with this card sort activity, where they need to match the correct information to each layer, cut, and stick it in the right place. Simple, but effective!
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12. The Layers of the Earth Song
Incorporate musical learning into your classroom with this fun song to help your students remember the key structures of Earth. They could even have a go at writing their own lyrics or poems to demonstrate what they have learned!
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13. Crossword Puzzle
Consolidate knowledge and learning with this useful crossword puzzle. Students are given a clue about a part of the Earth’s structure and are required to input their answers onto the grid.
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14. Teach them young
For our very youngest members of the classroom, use a hands-on practical activity. Using colored rice to make a colorful earth layers art project, introduce the concept of a spherical earth. You could accompany this with a book or a short video to ensure that students have understood the concept.
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15. Comprehension Activities
Develop students reading knowledge with a comprehension worksheet and quiz. Students need to read the information and then answer the questions to show their understanding.
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16. Use an Apple
The layers of the earth are very similar to the structure of an apple. If you want a more healthy edible project, allow your students to dissect an apple and compare and contrast the different layers using this handy worksheet!
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