Download Layers of the Earth Foldable Directions

Layers of the Earth Foldable Directions
**It is very important that you follow these exact directions in the order that they are on this paper!**
1. You will be using 2 pages in your notebook for this activity. These pages need to be side by side.
2. Cut out the template given to you by your teacher. Fold the flap back as suggested on the template but DO NOT
glue yet.
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3. Place the template (we will refer to the template as a “Slice of Earth”) against the inside
edge (next to the spiral part of your NOTEBOOK) of the right (2nd) page, but still DO NOT
glue it down at this time.
See Picture
1st page
2nd page
4. With a pencil trace the “Slice of Earth” onto this page. Then make a little line next to
each of the lines on the “Slice of Earth”.
See Picture
5. Set the “Slice of Earth” template to the side. Using the little lines you just drew on page 2, extend these lines
across the “Slice of Earth” so they look like the lines on the template. Try to keep them a little curved similar to
the template.
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6. With the backside of the “Slice of Earth” facing up, place the template onto page 1 next to
the spiral part of this page. Make sure it lines up with the “Slice of Earth” on page 2 to
make a bigger “Slice of Earth”. Trace the template as you did on page 2. In addition, place
a little line next to the two lines that runs across this template. Extend these lines across
just like you did for page 2.
1st page
7. Paste the foldable OVER the shape traced on 2nd page, gluing only the tab. This will create
a flap between the page that can be “opened”.
STOP! Teacher check!
2nd page
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Glue “Slice of
Earth” here over
traced shape
1st page
2nd page
8. Any group of diverse materials can be classified by chemical or physical properties. Chemical refers to different
material composition (what it’s made of), and physical properties refers to such things as whether the materials
are solids or liquids, etc. On the “Slice of Earth” on the 1st page, you will be identifying the compositional
(chemical) layers of the earth. Write the word “Compositional Layers” in the upper left hand corner of page 1.
The chemical layering of the earth happened as part of the earth's formation. This resulted from the heat
generated during the process of planetary differentiation. As a general rule, denser materials settled to the
center of the earth, leaving lighter materials on top. Therefore, the earth consists of successive layers of
material getting less dense as you approach the surface.
The major compositional layers are: Core, Mantle and Crust.
Label these THREE compositional layers on the “Slice of Earth” on page 1. Using your prior knowledge, the
reading passages provided to you and/or your red textbook (pgs 96-99) for help.
Color these layers as follows:
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Core = red (It’s VERY hot!)
Mantle = orange (It’s still very hot, but not as hot as the core!)
Crust = brown (It’s made of rocks!)
9. On the 2nd page, you will be identifying the mechanical (physical) layers of the earth. Write the word
“Mechanical (Physical) Layers” in the upper right hand corner of page 2.
Mechanical/Physical Layering - Because of variations in temperature and in pressure, the materials inside the
earth vary in their physical properties with depth. The mechanical (physical) layers of the earth are inner core,
outer core, mesosphere (lower mantle), asthenosphere and lithosphere.
Label these layers on the “Slice of Earth” FLAP (not page #2). Using your prior knowledge, the reading passages
provided to you and/or your red textbook (pgs 96-99) for help.
Color these layers as follows:
1.
2.
Color the Inner Core red (HOT!) and the lithosphere yellow (COOL!)
For the middle layers use lighter shades of red, orange and/or yellow to
represent the “hotness” of each layer (layers should fade from yellow to red)
10. Move the “Slice of Earth” so it covers up the 1st page. Looking at the traced Slice of Earth on the 2nd page, write
down the following information for each mechanical/physical layer:
 Composition (chemical makeup of layer)
 State of Matter (solid, liquid or “soquid”)
 Temperature
Make sure this information is written in the
appropriate layer (you may need to flip your “Slice of
Earth” back and forth as you are working to see the
names of the layers). The first letter of each layer
name should be showing on the flap of your “slice”.
Using your prior knowledge, the reading passages provided to you and/or your red textbook (pg 96-99) for help.
11. Remember those little lines that you marked when tracing the “Slice of Earth” on the 1st and 2nd page?
Well, now you are going to record the APPROXIMATE THICKNESS of each layer between those marks on
the 1st and 2nd page. For example, the lithosphere is 40 to 100 km, so between the first line and the
second line, you will write “40 to 100 km”.
Keep in mind that, since we have not actually been deep inside of the earth, we are
not sure about exact temperatures, depths, etc. Therefore, you might find slightly
different information depending on the source you are using. 
12. On the notebook paper surrounding the “Slice of Earth” on the 2nd page, you need to have at least 3 more facts
for EACH layer! This MUST be new information not already included on foldable. Using your prior knowledge,
the reading passages provided to you and/or your red textbook (pgs 96-99) for help.
13. On the notebook paper surrounding the “Slice of Earth” on the 1st page, complete the following:
 List 3 facts about the oceanic crust
 List 3 facts about the continental crust.
 Where does most of our knowledge about the layers of the Earth come from?
 Name the layers from least dense to most dense.
 What are convection currents and which layer are they located in?
14. Complete the exit slip given to you by your teacher.
Name: ____________________
Layers of Earth Exit Slip
Summary sentences: Write one summary sentence about some general ideas and patterns you have learned
about the density, temperature, and pressure of Earth’s layers from this activity or reading information.
Sentence 1 (density): _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence 2 (temperature): _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence 3 (pressure): _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ____________________
Layers of Earth Exit Slip
Summary sentences: Write one summary sentence about some general ideas and patterns you have learned
about the density, temperature, and pressure of Earth’s layers from this activity or reading information.
Sentence 1 (density): _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence 2 (temperature): _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Sentence 3 (pressure): _________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________