Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes
The structure of the Earth
Earth and rocks
CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS2-3England: KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere (composition of the Earth)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: The structure of the Earth.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Leads to: Plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes; Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers
Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What type of rock is quartzite? (igneous / sedimentary / metamorphic) → metamorphicPrompt: Did it form from cooled magma, from layers of sediment, or from heat and pressure changing another rock?
- Which of these rocks is igneous? (basalt / limestone / gneiss / marble) → basaltPrompt: Look for clues: interlocking crystals, layers of grains, or bands made by pressure.
- Granite has large crystals but basalt has tiny ones. Why? (Granite is younger / Granite contains fossils / Basalt was crushed / Granite cooled slowly underground; basalt cooled quickly at the surface) → Granite cooled slowly underground; basalt cooled quickly at the surfacePrompt: Crystals have more time to grow when cooling is slow.
Hook · 3 min
- Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
- Share the objective: The structure of the Earth. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which layer of the Earth is liquid?
- Step 1: The outer core is liquid iron and nickel; the inner core is solid.
- Step 2: So the answer is: the outer core
- Answer: the outer core
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- How do scientists know about the inside of the Earth? (By studying how earthquake waves travel through it / By visiting the core / By looking at the Moon / By drilling to the centre) → By studying how earthquake waves travel through itPrompt: The deepest hole ever drilled is only about 12 km deep.
- Earth's structure: which statement is NOT true? (The crust is made of rock. / The mantle is completely liquid lava. / The inner core is solid. / Temperature increases as you go deeper into the Earth.) → The mantle is completely liquid lava.Prompt: Is the mantle really a sea of liquid?
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 5 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which layer of the Earth is liquid? (all of them / the inner core / the outer core / the crust) → the outer corePrompt: The inner core is solid because of huge pressure.
- Earth's structure: which statement is NOT true? (The mantle is the thickest layer. / Temperature increases as you go deeper into the Earth. / The Earth is hollow. / The inner core is solid.) → The Earth is hollow.Prompt: Is the mantle really a sea of liquid?
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
- Use concrete materials: rock samples.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes; Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder