Download Essential Question: How and Why is the Earth`s Crust Constantly

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Inquiry Activity :The Geosphere
Essential Question: How and Why is the Earth's Crust Constantly Changing?
Objective: To begin to answer this question you and the people at your table will work together to reason how
the Earth's crust can change over time. Once you have figured out a process, draw it in the space provided.
After the picture is drawn of what you think it looks like, build a model from Lego pieces. As we move through
the section you will be able to answer this question with more and more detail. Today we will be trying to
answer this question,
"How do we know the Earth's composition?"
Directions:
How to use the Concept Map:
1. First discuss what you ALL think about how the Earth might change over time. Then, use the concept map to
show how the terms relate to one another in a sequence/process or one is a composite of another. Remember
that there are two main concept maps. The first is a sequence map that shows one the steps in a process. The
other is a composition map that shows relation according to a hierarchy. During the inquiry activity you will
need to use your prior knowledge or guess as to what the relationships are to the terms used. (See #3 "Terms
of Use")
How to Draw and Label a Diagram:
2. Draw a diagram of how you think the Earth is made of. The diagram must include the whole Earth not just a
section. Must indicate each layer with a color or shade and must be clearly labeled.
3. Add the "Terms of Use" on your diagram where you think it should go.
Geosphere, Crust, Mantle, Core, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Tectonic Plates, Divergent
Boundaries, Convergent Boundaries, Seafloor Spreading, Subduction, Convection, volcanoes,
faults, seismic waves
How to Model your Diagram
4. After the drawing is finished, build the model that you have drawn from Lego bricks. Remember that you
are building a representation of your diagram. This means that it does not need to look exactly like it. As long
as you can identify the Terms of Use, then it will work. You will take a picture of the model to compare to the
future models. This way you are able to "SEE" what new information you have learned.
How to Summarize From your Concept Map and Diagram:
5. Finally, you will summarize the information that you have gathered from your concept map and diagram. The
concept map needs to be your guide through the summary. It will provide the structure to the paragraphs and
sentences needed to get a good score. Use the diagram to gather inspiration as to what to say. It is easier to
describe something when you can see it. Use all of the terms within the summary without defining what they
are but more discuss how they relate to one another. Supply specific evidence in your summary along with
examples. The summary will be more of a narrative guess for the inquiry activity.
PLEASE, DO NOT USE YOUR BOOK DURING ACTIVITY!!!!!!!!!!
Concept Map:
After discussing the possible ways Earth can be made of stuff (It's Composition), use the Terms to build your
map. You may go in any direction you feel necessary to explain your model. Use arrows to indicate the
direction in which you are going. Remember to use the vocabulary. (See Below)
Vocabulary:
Geosphere, Crust, Mantle, Core, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Tectonic Plates,
Divergent Boundaries, Convergent Boundaries, Seafloor Spreading, Subduction,
Convection, volcanoes, faults, seismic waves
Diagram:
Draw your diagram here and label using these terms (Geosphere, Crust, Mantle, Core, Lithosphere,
Asthenosphere, Tectonic Plates, Divergent Boundaries, Convergent Boundaries, Seafloor Spreading,
Subduction, Convection, Volcanoes, Faults, Seismic Waves) and other words to describe your process.
Your diagram needs to answer the question, "How do we know the Earth's composition?"
Questions:
1. What are the different layers?
2. How does the Earth move?
3. Why does the Earth's surface change over time?
4. Where do earthquakes occur?
Summarize the process by answering the question of the activity, "How do we know the Earth's
composition?" You may include the answers to your questions on the previous page in your summary.
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