Marlene Triplett, Orofino Elementary, Orofino, ID
EARTH CHANGES
Appropriate for grades 4-6.
OVERVIEW: There are many changes that occur in the earth's crust.
There are those that come quickly and others that take millions of
years. The material given are activities that have worked to show
students what these changes are and why they take place.
PURPOSE: The purpose of these activities is to give students a
hands-on feeling for the relationships between the earth's
structural layers and to aid them in the understanding of the
world around them.
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Identify, by modeling, the earth's structure, namely the
core, mantle and crust
2. Identify by experiment and demonstration the forces within
the earth that cause constant changes on our earth's
surface--- earthquakes
ACTIVITIES: The following activities are some that are used in a
unit about the earth's surface to give students the feel of what
happens and what has happened in different circumstances on the
earth.
1. Earth's Structure. Give each student a large styrofoam ball
(6 in.). Using a knife cut a large wedge out of the ball so
it can be seen to the center. (These could be pre-cut to
keep the students from using a knife.) Draw lines to show
the relative thickness of each layers. Color with wax
crayons. Label. Put cut-outs of continents on the outside.
Summarize what was learned.
2. Earthquakes - Shifting vertical layers. Lay two separate
strips of cloth or plastic next to each other on the bottom
of a cake pan. Let the excess length of one strip hang out
at one end of the pan, the other at the other end. Cover
the strips with damp soil up to the edge of the pan and pack
it down firmly. Place toys on the soil to represent houses,
cars, bridges. Now pull the protruding strip at one end and
the other at the other end simultaneously. Children describe
what happens; they predict what might happen if similar
objects were to occur on earth.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED: None needed.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: When and other activities are completed a
display of their work for other grades and parents is held. At
this time, the experiments done will lead to projects for the
Science Fair held in our school each spring. They are also
encouraged to take their projects to the District Science Fair
held in Lewiston, Idaho in mid March.
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