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GEOLOGIST'S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Produced by
Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Teacher’s Guide by
Lauren LaComb
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© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Introduction to the Program . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Links to Curriculum Standards . . . . . . . . . .2
Summary of the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Instructional Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Pre-Test/Anticipation Guide and Post-Test .4
Student/Audience Preparation . . . . . . . . . .5
Vocabulary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Student Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
View the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Discussion Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Description of Blackline Masters . . . . . . . .7
Extended Learning Activities . . . . . . . . . . .9
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Internet Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reference Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Script of Narration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
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GEOLOGIST'S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Grades 2-6
Viewing Time: 10.5 minutes with a
five-question Video Quiz
INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES
Digging Through Earth is part of the Geologist's
Notebook, which is intended to help elementary students
dig into a variety of important topics in geology and Earth
Science. This six-part series of 10.5 minute programs
uses 3-D animation and live-action footage to address
uplifting and erosion, the rock cycle, soil formation, minerals and crystals, Earth's interior structure, natural
resources, fossils, and landforms. A light-hearted touch
often lightens the heavy "lode" of information which each
show offers.
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM
Digging Through Earth digs through the many layers
that make up Earth. Who, as a child, hasn't wondered
about digging to the other side of the world? In this animated dig, we tunnel through a thin layer of soil and water
into the crust and all the way to the center of Earth. Along
the way, the shovel burns as the heat and pressure of
Earth's interior quickly rise. Still, geologists help us
through the asthenosphere, the upper and lower mantles,
and two layers of the metal core, revealing remarkable
information all the way down. On the way back "up" (any
direction from the middle is up), we learn that the heat rising with us will have a big effect on the crust and continent
where we started. The show ties the whole planet together, both inside and out.
1
LINKS TO CURRICULUM STANDARDS
According to the National Science Education Standards:
• Content Standard D (K-4): Changes in earth and sky
ŠThe surface of the earth changes. Some changes
are due to slow processes, such as erosion and weathering, and some changes are due to rapid processes, such
as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.
• Content Standard D (5-8): Structure of the Earth System
ŠThe solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot,
convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core.
ŠLithospheric plates on the scales of continents and
oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year
in response to movements in the mantle. Major geological
events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and
mountain building, result from these plate motions.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
Geologists are experts on the composition of Earth's interior.
Earth is made of layers. Soil and water sit on top of the
crust. The crust is not far underneath the soil and water.
The crust is a shell of rock surrounding the entire planet.
The crust is cracked into pieces, which are called plates.
There are ocean plates that are about five miles/eight
kilometers thick. Continental plates are many times thicker than ocean plates, but the rock is lighter in weight.
Where these two plates overlap, a continental plate will
ride on top of the heavier ocean plate. The crust gets
warmer towards the center of Earth. Deeper inside Earth,
temperatures rise thousands of degrees. The crust protects life on Earth from this internal heat.
2
The heat inside of Earth is explained two different ways.
First, geologists explain that Earth was formed billions of
years ago though many fiery collisions of tiny hot planets.
Some of that heat still remains. Second, radioactive
decay inside Earth creates new heat. Together, radioactive decay and early heat make the inside of Earth
extremely hot.
Just below the crust is the asthenosphere. This layer
belongs to a layer of Earth called the upper mantle. The
upper mantle slowly hardens into solid rock. This solid
rock and the stiff crust are held together by the gooey rock
of the asthenosphere in between.
Rather than digging into the deep layers of Earth, geologists use tools to understand these different layers. A
seismograph records the energy waves of earthquakes.
It has also revealed that right below the upper mantle lays
another layer of rock, called the lower mantle. The difference between the two layers is mainly pressure. The
weight of the crust and upper mantle presses down on the
lower mantle. Gravity pulls everything towards the center
of Earth. The lower mantle changes form due to pressure.
It goes deep into Earth, and then meets the core.
The core differs from the mantle because the core is
metal. The metal, especially iron, sank when Earth was
formed. The core is divided into an inner and outer core.
The outer core is molten. The liquid metal is perhaps as
thin as water. It circulates and moves around the inner
core. This circulation creates Earth's magnetic field. The
inner core is also metal, but it is solid. The pressure on
the inner core is about the same as the pressure pressing
around an exploding atom bomb. The inner core's temperature is close to that of the surface of the sun.
3
As you follow the Earth from the inner core to the crust,
along the way, heat rises. The heat rises all the way to
the plates. The energy from this heat makes the plates
move. The plates float slowly over the asthenosphere.
They move only a few inches or centimeters a year, but
the results are dramatic. Colliding plates cause earthquakes and push up mountains. Spreading plates allow
new resources from deep within the Earth to fill in the
gaps and renew the crust. The rising heat from deep
within Earth can also cause volcanoes, geysers, and hotpots.
INSTRUCTIONAL NOTES
Before presenting these lessons to your students, we
suggest that you preview the program, review the guide,
and the accompanying Blackline Master activities in order
to familiarize yourself with their content.
As you review the materials presented in this guide, you
may find it necessary to make some changes, additions
or deletions to meet the specific needs of your class. We
encourage you to do so; for only by tailoring this program
to your class will they obtain the maximum instructional
benefits afforded by the materials.
PRE-TEST/ANTICIPATION GUIDE AND POST-TEST
Blackline Master #1, Pre-Test/Anticipation Guide, is
an assessment tool intended to gauge student comprehension of the objectives prior to viewing the program,
excite students about the topic they are studying, and
prepare students to learn the information surrounding the
topic of the program. Explain that they are not expected
to get all answers correct, but they are expected to try
their best. Remind the students that these are key concepts that they should focus on while watching the pro4
gram. The Pre-Test/Anticipation Guide should be
administered prior to viewing the program. Answers
should be reviewed immediately after the program. Hint:
It is helpful when the students use different colored pens
for the before and after work on the Pre-Test/
Anticipation Guide.
Blackline Master #7, Post-Test, is an assessment tool to
be administered after viewing the program and completing additional activities. The results of this assessment
can be compared to the results of the Pre-Test/
Anticipation Guide to determine the change in student
comprehension before and after participation in this lesson.
STUDENT/AUDIENCE PREPARATION
Geology has vocabulary words that students need to
experience and practice. It is important to familiarize your
students with vocabulary presented in the program prior
to viewing the program. Blackline Master #4a, Connect
To… is an activity intended for students to complete after
viewing the program and answering discussion questions.
This vocabulary activity is centered on the concept of
Earth's plates moving. Students are expected to connect
boxes with lines. On each line they write a sentence
explaining how the two words are connected. This activity may be used with any of the vocabulary words; therefore we have included a blank copy of Blackline Master
#4b, Connect To… on which you can use vocabulary
words.
Listed on the following page are vocabulary words presented in the program. These words have been identified
to help students understand the content of the program
better. These words can be worked on at any time during
this lesson.
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VOCABULARY
geologist
layers
water
crust
geysers
hotspots
ocean plates
mountains
iron
metal
seismograph
upper mantle
colliding
lower mantle
gravity
heat
outer core
magnetic field
continental plates earthquakes
temperature radioactive decay
soil
rock
plates
circulates
solid
volcanoes
pressure
inner core
asthenosphere
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
After viewing the program and completing the follow-up
activities, students should be able to:
• Explain how plates move and their effect on Earth's surface.
• Identify the different layers of Earth: the crust, asthenosphere, upper mantle, lower mantle, outer core, and inner
core.
• Explain how the crust regenerates.
• Identify the meaning of key vocabulary words in relation
to the structure of Earth.
VIEW THE PROGRAM
Running Time: 10.5 minutes
If possible, have a 3-D model of the interior of Earth available for students to view in the classroom.
6
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Blackline Master #2, Discussion Questions, are useful
both before and after the program has been viewed by the
students. By discussing prior to viewing the program, you
may assess the students' comprehension and misgivings
before beginning the lesson. Discussion Questions can
be presented to the whole class or given to small groups
to research and report back to the class. Students should
be encouraged to creatively present the information they
have learned. For example, they could create a game, do
a dramatization, a news show, PowerPoint® presentation
with visuals, design a timeline, write a story and read it to
the class. By providing creative solutions that encourage
teamwork, research skills, and options for presentations,
the more excited and interested the students will become.
Answers can be found in the Answer Key section of this
guide.
DESCRIPTION OF BLACKLINE MASTERS
Blackline Master #1, Pre-Test/Anticipation Guide, is a
pre-assessment tool intended to gauge student comprehension of the objectives prior to viewing the program.
Blackline Master #2, Discussion Questions, are useful
both before and after the program has been viewed by the
students. By discussing prior to viewing the program, you
may assess the student's comprehension and misgivings
before beginning the lesson. Discussion Questions can
be presented to the whole class or given to small groups
to research and report back to the class. Students should
be encouraged to creatively present the information they
have learned. For example, they could create a game, do
a dramatization, a news show, PowerPoint® presentation
with visuals, design a timeline, write a story and read it to
the class.
7
Blackline Master #3, Video Quiz, is intended to reinforce
the key concepts of the program immediately following
the presentation of the program. The Video Quiz can be
used as a tool to outline salient points before viewing the
program.
Blackline Master #4a, Connect To… This vocabulary
activity is centered on the concept of the movement of
Earth's plates. Key vocabulary is on the Blackline Master
#4, Connect To…. Students are expected to connect
boxes with lines. On each line they write a sentence
explaining how the two words are connected. This activity may be used with any of the vocabulary words.
Blackline Master #4b (blank), Connect To… is also provided for your use.
Blackine Master #5, Graphic Organizer, is an activity
that can be completed after the program is viewed, discussion questions are answered and the Video Quiz has
been completed and discussed. Students are asked to fill
the graphic organizer in with information they learned
from the program. Once they have put forth their best
effort, they are allowed to ask two students for their input
or to use other classroom resources.
Blackline Master #6, A Look Inside Earth, this is a
drawing exercise for students. Instruct students to visualize the Earth cut in half. Have them draw the cross section, labeling the different layers. Key vocabulary is
located on the Blackline Master #6, A Look Inside
Earth. This is a good activity to accompany the Blackline
Master #5, Graphic Organizer.
Blackline Master #7, Post-Test, is an assessment tool to
be administered after viewing the program and completing additional activities. The results of this assessment
can be compared to the results of the Pre-Test/
8
Anticipation Guide to determine the change in student
comprehension before and after participation in this lesson.
Blackline Master #8, Inner Structure of the Earth, is an
illustration that labels the inner structure of the Earth from
the inner core to water and land.
EXTENDED LEARNING ACTIVITIES
SCIENCE EXTENSIONS: Have students chose one layer
of Earth presented in the program and instruct them to do
an in-depth study of it. This could be a cooperative activity as well as a reciprocal teaching opportunity. Students
can present their information to the rest of the class, as if
they were the teachers.
ART CONNECTIONS: Have students create a 3-D model
of the interior of Earth. Another option is to have them act
out the layers of Earth or an event in which the plates collide.
MATH CONNECTION: Have students find the measurement of each layer in Earth. Have them make to-scale, a
diagram of the layers of Earth.
CREATIVE WRITING CONNECTION: Have students
chose any layer of Earth and personify it in a short essay.
Have them identify the layer, its role in the layers of Earth,
its feelings, and opinions.
SOCIAL STUDIES CONNECTION: Students can
research different parts of the world that are affected by
plates moving. Instruct them to include its affects on people who live in the area, the economy, and their way of living.
TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION: Create a scavenger hunt
for students and have them find answers on the web.
9
ANSWER KEY
Blackline Master #1, Anticipation Guide
1. True
2. False, the crust is divided into about 20 pieces called
plates.
3. False, miners have been able to dig down only about
two miles/three kilometers.
4. True
5. True
6. False, the core is made of metal.
7. True
8. False, the inner core is made of hard metal.
9. True
10. False, as the plates spread new resources from deep
within Earth flow upwards and fill the gaps and renew the
crust.
Blackline Master #2, Discussion Questions
1. If you could travel into Earth's interior, all the way to the
middle, what would you find?
A: Answers may vary; hopefully students will discuss the
fact that Earth is made up of layers, including the crust,
asthenosphere, upper mantel, lower mantle, outer core,
and inner core.
2. Why is Earth's crust so important for human life to
exist?
A: It protects us from Earth's inner heat and provides us
with a hard ground.
3. The crust is cracked into many pieces called plates.
What do these plates do?
A: These plates ride on top of one another. They move a
couple of inches/few centimeters a year. When they collide, mountains can be formed and earthquakes can
occur.
10
4. How does the temperature change from the crust of
Earth to the core?
A: The temperature increases towards the middle of
Earth.
5. What causes this change in temperature?
A: Geologists have two explanations for this heat. Earth
was formed billions of years ago through many fiery collisions of tiny hot planets. Some of that heat still remains.
Second, radioactive decay inside Earth creates new heat.
Together, radioactive decay and early heat make the
inside of Earth extremely hot.
6. What is the layer called between crust and upper mantle?
A: The asthenosphere.
7. Since miners can't dig much further than two
miles/three kilometers into Earth, how else can they find
out important information about Earth's interior?
A: Answers may vary. Students may identify technology
as a way to research the inside of Earth. A seismograph
is used to identify the lower mantle.
8. How does gravity play a role in these layers?
A: Gravity pulls everything towards the center of Earth.
This creates a lot of pressure on the different layers.
9. What is the main difference between the mantles and
the cores?
A: The mantles are made of rock; the cores are made of
metal.
10. What cause the magnetic field on Earth?
A: Answers may vary. The magnetic field is caused by liquid metal, iron, in the outer core moving around.
11. How hot is the inner core?
A: As hot as the surface of the sun.
12. How do the plates move around?
A: Heat from the inside of Earth pushes outward towards
the crust. The heats energy causes the plates to move
around.
11
13. How does the crust renew its gaps?
A: New resources from deep within the Earth to fill in the
gaps and renew the crust.
Blackline Master #3, Video Quiz
1) True
2) True
3) True
4) False
5) True
Blackline Master #4 Connect To…
It is suggested that this activity is modeled for students
prior to asking them to complete it independently. Look for
logical connections and complete sentences.
Blackline Master # 5, Graphic Organizer
Layer
Where is it located?
Add any important
information you know
crust
Under the soil and water on
Earth. It protects the Earth
from inner heat and provides
a hard surface on which to live.
upper
mantle
asthenosphere
lower mantle
Lies between the crust and
asthenosphere
Belongs to the upper mantle.
Holds the crust and hard part of
the upper mantle together.
Goes deep into Earth
and meets the core
What makes
it up?
rock
hardended rock
as it goes deeper into Earth
softened rock
hard core
outer core
Between the lower mantle and
inner core. This liquid metal
circulates, creating Earth’s
magnetic field
liquid metal
inner core
In the middle of Earth.
It is hot!
solid metal
12
Blackline Master #6, A Look Inside Earth
Explain your expectations for this activity prior to implementing it. This is a creative exercise. Check to make
sure students have labeled the layers correctly and
placed each layer appropriately.
Blackline Master #7, Post-Test
1. The crust is cracked into about twenty plates. There
are two different types of plates. The continental plates
and ocean plates. These plates overlap one another.
2. crust
3. True
4. Earth was formed billions of years ago through many
fiery collisions of tiny hot planets. Some of that heat still
remains. Second, radioactive decay inside Earth creates
new heat. Together, radioactive decay and early heat
make the inside of Earth extremely hot.
5. pressure
6. The same pressure as the pressure around an
exploding bomb.
7. As you follow the Earth from the inner core to the
crust, along the way, heat rises. The heat rises all the
way to the plates. The energy from this heat makes the
plates move. The plates float slowly over the asthenosphere. They move only a few inches or centimeters a
year, but the results are dramatic. Colliding plates cause
earthquakes and push up mountains.
8. True
9. False
10. Spreading plates allow new resources from deep
within the Earth to fill in the gaps and renew the crust.
13
INTERNET SITES
For Teachers:
US Geological Survey, Education
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/index.htm
K-12 website, dedicated to lifelong learning about the
earth. This site has specific examples of the three types
of rocks presented in the program. There are sections for
teachers, students and explorers.
Exploring the Environment
www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html
Exploring the Environment™ (ETE). The ETE online
series, which features an integrated approach to environmental earth science through modules and activities, is
developed at the NASA Classroom of the Future™.
For Students:
US Geological Survey, Education
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/students/index.htm
K-12 website, dedicated to lifelong learning about the
earth. This site has specific examples of the layers of
Earth, the history of Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes and
more. There are sections for teachers, students and
explorers.
The Museum of Innovation
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/insi
de/
This is an awesome site with an online museum. There
are simple explanations of Earth's make-up of Earth.
14
Enchanted Learning
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/pl
anets/earth/
There are science pages and activities that provide a lot
of information about the inside of Earth, plates, movements, and more.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Rocks and Minerals, Challoner, J., & Walshaw, R. New
York: Anness Publishing Limited, 2000. ISBN: 0 7548
0457 7.
This book discusses the inside of Earth. It also provides
easy to follow science experiments with rocks and minerals. Excellent visual presentations.
Rocks & Minerals, Eyewitness Books, London: Dorling
Kingdersley, 1988. ISBN 0-394-89621-1.
This book covers all types of rocks, as well as the inside
of Earth. This book has interesting pictures of each type
of rock and easy-to-understand text as well.
Geology Crafts for Kids, Anderson, A., Diehn, G., and
Krautwurst, T, New York: Sterling Publishing Company,
1996. ISBN 0-8069-8156-3.
This is a fun book that can enhance any study of geology.
The crafts are clearly explained, visual cues, and interesting information presented with each craft.
I Can Be a Geologist, Sipiera, Paul, Chicago: Childrens
Press, 1986. ISBN 0-516-01897-3.
This is easy-to-read book discusses the different types of
geologists and what their specific jobs are.
Exploring Soil and Rocks, Catherall, Ed. Austin, Texas:
Steck-Vaughn Co., 1990. ISBN 0-8114-2595-9.
This book covers the concepts presented in this program,
along with easy to follow experiments.
15
Rocks and Minerals, Shaffer, Paul & Zim, Herbert,
Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Co, INC., 1957.
ISBN 0-307-63502-3.
This is an old book but is a valuable resource for the
classroom. The book provides pictures of different rocks
along with detailed descriptions. It is a good resource to
that can help students identify rocks and minerals.
Make it Work! Earth, Baker, Wendy & Haslam, Andrew,
New York: Thomas Learning, 1992. ISBN 1-56847-468-7.
This hands-on text has experiments that are easy to follow with excellent pictures. There are great lessons on
Earth's layers, shifting plates and how to make a volcano.
Atlas of Earth, by Stace, Alexa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
AND Cartographic Publishers Ltd., 1999. ISBN 0-83682505-5.
This is a good resource to have handy in the classroom.
It is an oversized book with excellent graphics and photos
of Earth. Earth movements, building mountains and volcanoes are discussed.
SCRIPT OF NARRATION
Want to dig a hole all the way to the other side of the
world? What an adventure? But before shoveling, talk to
a geologist. Geologists know a lot about the inside of
Earth and can help explain some of the amazing things
you'll discover on the way down.
The Crust
Earth is made of layers. A thin coat of soil and water sit
like make-up on the top layer, which we call the crust. You
can dig down through soil only a short distance, perhaps
less than half the length of a soccer field, before hitting
the crust, which is a shell of rock surrounding the entire
planet.
16
Like a slightly damaged eggshell, the crust is cracked. It's
in about 20 pieces, which we call plates. The plates come
in two varieties, ocean plates and continental plates.
Ocean plates are about five miles/eight kilometers thick.
Continental plates are many times thicker, but the rock is
lighter in weight. Where ocean and continental plates
overlap, continental plates usually ride on top, like oil on
water.
Going through Earth's rock crust is tough work. The
world's best miners have been able to go down only about
two miles or three kilometers.
Toward the bottom of these mines a surprising thing happens, the crust gets warm. In fact, the mines need air
conditioning. Deeper inside Earth, temperatures climb
thousands of degrees. On the surface we don't feel this
heat because the crust protects us from it.
Why is it so hot inside Earth? Geologists list two main
reasons. First, Earth formed long ago through a series of
fiery collisions of tiny hot planets. Some of that early heat
still remains. Second, new heat is created inside Earth
through a process called radioactive decay. Together,
radioactive decay and early heat make the inside of Earth
up to 20 times hotter than the hottest kitchen oven.
The Mantle
Just below the crust - about 30 miles/45 kilometers down,
the temperature is high enough to melt rock slightly, to
make it soft and gooey. Geologists call this area with softened rock the asthenosphere. "A" means without;
"sthenos" means strength. The asthenosphere has rock
without strength, because it's weakened by heat.
The asthenosphere belongs to a layer of Earth called the
upper mantle. Below the asthenosphere, the upper mantle gradually hardens into solid rock. The hard portion of
17
the upper mantle and the stiff crust above are held together like a jelly sandwich by the gooey rock of the asthenosphere in between.
Maybe by now you've given up plans to get a shovel.
Fortunately, curious geologists have figured out what's
down there without digging.
One tool they've used a lot instead of a shovel is the seismograph, which records the energy waves of earthquakes. Seismographs reveal that right below the upper
mantle lies another layer of rock - the lower mantle. The
lower mantle carries earthquake shock waves in a different way than the upper mantle, and this shows up on
seismographs. An earthquake here gives different kinds
of readings to seismographs here and here.
The difference between upper mantle and lower mantle
rock is mostly caused by one thing: pressure. The weight
of the crust and upper mantle presses down on the lower
mantle. Gravity pulls everything to Earth's center. Below
the line dividing the upper and lower mantles a sudden
change takes place. Like water changing to ice because
of cold, lower mantle rock changes form because of pressure.
The Core
The lower mantle goes deep into Earth, then meets the
core. The core differs from the mantle because it is metal,
not rock. The metal - especially iron - sank here while the
Earth was still new and soft, because metal is heavier
than rock.
Like the mantle, the core is divided into two layers, inner
and outer cores.
The outer core is melted. The liquid metal is perhaps as
thin as water, and circulates - or moves - around the inner
18
core. This circulation creates Earth's magnetic field, the
force that makes a compass work. So the magnetic field
people have used for centuries to explore the world
comes from a part of the planet we will never visit.
The inner core is also metal, but it is solid. As in the lower
mantle, extreme pressure changes the form of the core's
material. The pressure pressing in on the inner core is
perhaps about the same as the pressure pressing out
around an exploding atom bomb. The inner core's temperature nearly equals the surface of the sun.
Conclusion
From the center of Earth, any direction is up. To reach the
surface you now work back through the solid metal inner
core and melted metal outer core; through the very hard
rock lower mantle and somewhat softer upper mantle;
then through the aesthenoshere and the crust, and a thin
icing of soil and water to finally reach fresh air.
Along the way, heat rises with you. Heat from the middle
of Earth rises all the way up to the bottom of the crust,
where it has a surprising affect. The heat pushes plates
around. The plates float slowly over the gooey rock of the
asthenosphere like giant rafts. Though plates move only
a couple of inches or few centimeters a year, the results
are dramatic. Colliding plates cause earthquakes and
push up mountains. Spreading plates let new resources
from deep within earth flow upwards to fill the gap and
renew the crust. The rising heat from deep within Earth
also cause hotpots, geysers, and volcanoes. These are
Earth's way of letting off a little steam.
So even though we can't dig deep into Earth, we can still
understand what's there. In part this is because the middle of Earth reaches up to us in many ways.
Seismograph readings, magnetism, earthquakes, and
19
volcanoes all help show what amazing things lie buried
between us and the other side of the world.
Questions: True or False
1. Earth's thin shell of hard rock is called the crust.
2. The asthenosphere has soft rock that lacks strength.
3. Both layers of the mantle are mostly rock; both layer of
the core are metal.
4. The middle of Earth is soft and spongy.
5. Heat rising from deep inside Earth can move the crust's
plates.
20
1
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Pre-Test/Anticipation Guide
Directions: Circle the best answer to the following questions before viewing the program. Don't
worry; you may not know all of the answers. The answers will be reviewed following the program.
1. Earth is made up of layers.
True
False
2. The crust around Earth is one solid piece.
True
False
3. Miners have been able to dig 10 miles/15 kilometers into Earth's crust.
True
False
4. The crust gets warmer towards the center of Earth.
True
False
5. The asthenosphere is between the mantle and crust.
True
False
6. The core is made of hard rock.
True
False
7. Circulation of the outer core's liquid metal creates Earth's magnetic field.
True
False
8. The inner core is liquid metal.
True
False
9. Heat from Earth's interior moves around Earth's plates.
True
False
10. Once the crust is broken, it can never be fixed.
True
False
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
2
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Discussion Questions
Directions: Research and report back to the class. Creatively present the information you have
learned. For example, you could create a game, do a dramatization, a news show, PowerPoint®
presentation with visuals, design a timeline, or write a story and read it to class.
1. If you could travel into Earth's interior, all the way to the middle, what would you find?
2. Why is Earth's crust so important for human life to exist?
3. The crust is cracked into many pieces called plates. What do these plates do?
4. How does the temperature change from the crust of Earth to the core?
5. What causes this change in temperature?
6. What is the layer called between the crust and the upper mantle?
7. Since miners can't dig much further than two miles/three kilometers into Earth, how else can they find
out important information about Earth's interior?
8. How does gravity play a role in these layers?
9. What is the main difference between the mantle and the core?
10. What cause the magnetic field on Earth?
11. How hot is the inner core?
12. How do the plates move around?
13. How does the crust renew its gaps?
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
3 (pre/post)
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Video Quiz
Directions: Now that you have learned so much from viewing Digging Through Earth, it is now
time to test what you have learned. Answer each question by circling the correct response by circling either true or false. Do your best!
1. Earth's thin shell of hard rock is called the crust.
True
False
2. The asthenosphere has soft rock that lacks strength.
True
False
3. Both layers of the mantle are mostly rock; both layers of the core are metal.
True
False
4. The middle of Earth is soft and spongy.
True
False
5. Heat rising from deep inside Earth can move the crust's plates.
True
False
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
4a
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Connect To….
Directions:
1. Connect one box with another box by drawing a line in between the two.
2. On the line, explain how the two words are connected. Use complete sentences.
3. Make a total of four connections.
4. Extend your thinking by taking time to write thoughtful complete answers.
ocean plates
colliding
crust
mountains
continental
plates
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
4b
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Connect To..
Directions:
1. Complete each box with a vocabulary word provided by your teacher.
2. Connect one box with another box by drawing a line in between the two.
3. On the line, explain how the two words are connected. Use complete sentences.
4. Make a total of four connections.
5. Extend your thinking by taking time to write thoughtful complete answers.
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
5
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Graphic Organizer
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer below. Use the information you learned in the program
as well as from classroom resources.
Layer
Where is it located? Add any other
improtant information you know.
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Of what is
it made?
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
6
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
A Look Inside Earth
Directions: Draw a picture of Earth as if it were cut in half. Include each layer in your drawing,
and label each layer. Use your resources to help you.
Key vocabulary that should be part of your drawing: inner core, upper mantle, lower mantle, outer
core, asthenosphere, crust, soil, water.
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
7
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
Post-Test
Directions: Answer the following questions with your best effort. All written answers should be in
complete sentences.
1. Explain what plates are in Earth's structure?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. The very top layer of Earth, found under soil and water, is which of the following:
A) upper mantle
B) crust
C) asthenosphere
D) outer core
3. The outer core is made of liquid metal.
A) True
B) False
4. Explain why the temperature rises towards the center of Earth.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which of the following causes the difference between the upper mantle and lower mantle?
A) heat
B) pressure
C) erosion
6. The pressure on the inner core can be compared to which of the following:
A)
The same pressure as the pressure around an exploding bomb.
B)
The same pressure as the pressure of a volcano erupting.
C)
The same pressure as the pressure of hurricane winds.
7. Explain how plates moving in Earth's crust can change the surface of Earth.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
8. The inner core is made of solid metal.
A) True
B) False
9. The reason we have a magnetic field is due to the inner core.
A) True
B) False
10. Explain how the crust is renewed after it spreads apart.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
8
Name ____________________
GEOLOGIST’S NOTEBOOK
DIGGING THROUGH EARTH
The Inner Structure of the Earth
© 2003 Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Published and Distributed by United Learning
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.