THE

STRUCTURE
OF THE
EARTH
 Contents
1. Main Objectives
2. Useful Websites
3. Pupil Vocabulary Cards
4. Word Wall Cards
5. Glossary
6. Key Question Cards
7. Prior Learning Diagram
8. Hands-on Activities
9. Reading Comprehension
10. Final Activity
Main Objectives:

1. To know that the Earth is made up of several layers:

core, mantel and crust.

2. To know that the crust is also made up of several layers:

lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

3. To know that the crust of the Earth is constructed of

many different sections called tectonic plates.

4. To know that the continents and oceans sit on these

plates and that the movement of the plates is the cause

of volcanoes and earthquakes.

Useful Websites:

www.geography4kids.com

This site has general information about the topic with some

useful diagrams and photos.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com

This is a great site! It contains many interesting videos lasting

no more than 15 minutes each on a range of topics associated

with this unit. Open the page and search “formation of the

earth”, then click “videos”.

http://www.kidsgeo.com

This site has a number of things to offer – information, songs

and games. Some of the information on this site may lend

itself to a deeper study of the topic.

http://kids.yahoo.com/science

This is Yahoo’s kids site and has interesting videos and

activities children can do to reinforce their knowledge and

understanding of the topic. Its search engine will find other

child friendly sites.

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids

Another fabulous site that could teach this unit for you. Just

click on “videos” and search “earth structure”. You will have

plenty to choose from.

http:www.youtube.com

Search “structure of the earth” for some interesting videos.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/label/geology.shtml

Printable worksheets to label and colour on earth structure,

volcanoes etc.

http://www.fema.gov/kids/volcano.htm

An interesting and useful site with loads of facts about

volcanoes and a “things to do” section.

 n. The third planet in the
solar system and the only one
with life.

“The Earth has a great

Earth
variety of living things.”

n. the central part if the

Earth made up of two parts:
the inner core, probably made
of solid iron and nickel and a
core molten (liquid) outer core.

“The Earth’s core is

incredible dense.”

n. the portion of the Earth,

about 2900 km thick, between
the crust and the core.

“The outer mantle is made

mantle
of molten rock and
minerals.”
 n. the outer layer of the Earth,
about 35 km deep under the
continents and 10 km deep
under the oceans.

crust
“The Earth’s crust is made up
of tectonic plates.”

n. the crust and upper mantle

of the Earth.

“The lithosphere is constantly

lithosphere changing due to the action of
erosion, Earthquakes and
volcanoes.”

n. the water on or surrounding

the surface of the globe,
including the water of the
oceans and the water in the
atmosphere.
hydrosphere

“The oceans are part of the

hydrosphere.”
 n. the gaseous envelope
surrounding the Earth; the air.

“The Earth’s atmosphere is a

atmosphere very thin layer of gas that
protects us from the harmful
rays of the Sun and the
vacuum of space.”

n. a vent in the Earth's

crust through which lava,
steam, ashes, etc., are
expelled, either continuously
volcano
or at irregular intervals.
“Mt.Vesuvius is a dormant
volcano.”

n. a series of vibrations
induced in the Earth's crust by
the abrupt rupture and
rebound of rocks in which
Earthquake energy has been slowly
accumulating.
“Japan frequently suffers
Earthquakes.”
 n. the two sub-layers of the
Earth's crust (lithosphere)
that move, float, and
sometimes fracture and whose
interaction causes continental
tectonic plate
drift, Earthquakes, volcanoes,
mountains, and oceanic
trenches.

n. the lateral movement of

continents resulting from the
motion of crustal plates.

“Continental drift has caused

continental drift
the surface of the Earth to
change over long periods of
time.”

n. the science that deals with

the dynamics and physical
history of the Earth, the rocks
of which it is composed, and
the changes that the Earth has
geology
undergone or is undergoing.

“Someone who studies geology

is called a geologist.”
Earth

core
mantle

crust
lithosphere

hydrosphere
atmosphere

earthquake
volcano

geology
continental
drift
 geologist

troposphere
mesosphere

stratosphere
 exosphere

thermosphere
Glossary

atmosphere n. the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth;

the air.

continental drift n. the lateral movement of continents

resulting from the motion of crustal plates.

core n. the central part if the Earth made up of two parts:

the inner core, probably made of solid iron and nickel and a

molten (liquid) outer core.

crust n. the outer layer of the Earth, about 35 km deep under

the continents and 10 km deep under the oceans.

Earth n. The third planet in the solar system and the only one

with life.

earthquake n. a series of vibrations induced in the Earth's

crust by the abrupt rupture and rebound of rocks in which

energy has been slowly accumulating.

geology n. the science that deals with the dynamics and

physical history of the Earth, the rocks of which it is

composed, and the changes that the Earth has undergone or is

undergoing.

hydrosphere n. the water on or surrounding the surface of

the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in

the atmosphere.

lithosphere n. the crust and upper mantle of the Earth.

mantel n. the portion of the Earth, about 2900 km thick,

between the crust and the core.

tectonic plate n. the two sub-layers of the Earth's crust

(lithosphere) that move, float, and sometimes fracture and

whose interaction causes continental drift, Earthquakes,

volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches.

volcano n. a vent in the Earth's crust through which lava,

steam, ashes, etc., are expelled, either continuously or at

irregular intervals.
Can you name
the layers of
the Earth?
What is the
lithosphere?
 What is the
hydrosphere?
What are the
tectonic
plates?
Explain how an
earthquake
occurs.
How is a
volcano
formed?
Can you name the
three types of
volcano?
 What is the
“Ring of Fire?”
 Where would you
find the nearest
fault line to the
Iberian Peninsula?
Prior learning diagram:
Draw and label a cross-section diagram of the Earth’s structure in the circle below:
 Hands-on Activities 1

The Structure of the Earth

Main Objectives:

1. To know that the Earth is made up of several layers:

core, mantel and crust.

2. To know that the crust is also made up of several layers:

lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Resources needed:

• Digital projector and PC

• Ppt The structure of the Earth

• Internet connection

• Pupil worksheet 1.1

• Pupil worksheet 1.2

• Scissors, glue and coloured pencils or crayons.

Intrduction

To introduce this unit, show the children the short film using

the link below (or click on the hyperlink on the powerpoint

presentation).
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0603/quickflicks/
Use the word wall cards to reinforce the vocabulary learnt

throughout this lesson. Place them on the board as the

narrator introduces them.

Development

Follow the PowerPoint presentation to the end naming each

part of the Earth’s structure. After completing this part,

distribute the two activity sheets: in activity sheet 1.1 the

children will construct a 2d model of the Earth’s structure;

activity sheet 1.2, is a schematic diagram to aid children in

organising their ideas. The children should work independently,

following the instructions to complete their model. These

could then be displayed around one done by the teacher and

enlarged to A3.

Plenary

Go back the link above, or click on the hyperlink on the ppt.

Use the quiz to reinforce today’s lesson.

 Hands-on Activity 2

Plate tectonics, Volcanoes

and Earthquakes

Main Objectives:

1. To know that the crust of the Earth is constructed of

many different sections called tectonic plates.

2. To know that the continents and oceans sit on these

plates and that the movement of these plates is the

cause of volcanoes and earthquakes.

Resources needed:

• Internet connection

• Digital projector

• PowerPoint The Surface of the Earth

• A2 card, glue, pens etc.

Introduction:

Use the PowerPoint to introduce the children to ideas taught

throughout this activity. It is important that they realise that

the surface of the Earth is in constant movement and that

this causes volcanoes and Earthquakes to occur. Use slides 1 –

6.
Development:

Use slides 7 – 10 to explain how volcanoes and earthquakes

occur. Try to relate the occurrence of these phenomena to

the movements of the plates. Emphasise the destructive

power of these forces of Nature. Once the children have

finished with the PowerPoint, explain the task to them.

Task:

The children will create a poster project in pairs, either about

how volcanoes are formed or about how earthquakes occur.

They need to find information about the topic and present it

in an informative way in their own words. The second part of

the project involves them researching one volcano or

earthquake in detail. A prompt sheet is provided to help them

structure their report.

Plenary:

Once the children have finished their poster, display them

around the class alongside the word-wall cards and the key

questions. Ask each pair to talk about their project to the

class.
Hands-on Activity 1
Page 1

Back

FOLD HERE
Glue the inner
structure on
the reverse of
the circle.
Hands-on Activity 1
Page 2

Instructions

1. Cut out the entire shape on p. 1 and colour

atmosphere
the ocean area blue and the atmosphere
crust
light blue.
Outer mantle 2. Cut out the entire shape on p. 2 and colour:
Inner mantle Inner core = yellow

Outer core = orange

Outer core
Inner mantle = dark red

Inner Outer mantle = light red

core
Crust = brown

Atmosphere = light blue

3. Glue the inside structure to the reverse of

the circle as shown.

4. Fold your model along the fold line.

 Name:__________________ Pupil sheet 1.2

THE STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH

The Earth is the ____ planet in this solar system.

It has a ________ structure consisting of

C M L A

which Is made up
which formed by
consists of 5 layers
consists the
of 2 parts, of gas
of 2 parts,
the O____ M_____ which
the
protect us
from the
I _____ C____ I _____ M____ And the harmful
rays of the
C_______ Sun and
Which is and the molten
solid iron the vacuum
and nickel the part we of Space.
O____ M_____
and live on and
which
O_____ C____
which forms contains
part of the the land
Which is lithosphere. masses and
liquid. oceans.
Pupil sheet 2.1

Project planning sheet

My project is about volcanoes / earthquakes.

How are _____________ formed / occur?

Here are some diagrams I will use:

My focus project will be about _________________

Which is a volcano / earthquake:

Structure your project using these questions:

Where did this happen?
When did this happen?
What effect did this have on the people who live in the
area?
What effect did this have on the environment?
Are there any pictures you could present or photos from
the internet you could use?
Reading Comprehension

Earthquakes

In recent years, there have been some really big earthquakes.

April 2009: Around 150 people are killed in central Italy when an earthquake struck

in a city called L'Aquila. More than 50,000 people were left homeless by the quake.

May 2008: Around 87,000 people are thought to have been killed in China by an

earthquake in the Sichuan region of the country. As many as five million homes were

destroyed in the quake which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, and was the

biggest to strike the country for 30 years.

August 2007: More than 450 people are killed in Peru by a quake measuring 7.9 on

the Richter scale.

May 2006: More than 3,000 people are killed by an earthquake that struck the

Indonesian island of Java. More than 200,000 people were left without shelter

quake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale.

December 2004: Some 300,000 people are killed when an earthquake in the Indian

Ocean measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale sends huge waves called tsunamis crashing

into several Asian countries. The worst countries affected were Indonesia, Sri

Lanka, India and Thailand.

December 2003: Over 50,000 people are killed in a quake in Iran, which measured

6.3 on the Richter scale.

May 2003: Over 1,000 people are killed and nearly 7,000 hurt in a quake in Algeria,

which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale.

March 2002: Thousands die in a remote area of Afghanistan after an earthquake

measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale.

January 2001: 30,000 people die and more than 50,000 are injured by an

earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale in Gujarat, India.

January 2001: 1,000 people die in a 7.2 earthquake in El Salvador.

Source: Newsround 14th May 2009
Answer these questions:

1. In May 2008, there was an earthquake in China. What did the Earthquake

measure on the Richter scale?

____________________________________________________

2. How many people lost their lives in the earthquake?

____________________________________________________

3. More than 3000 people were killed in an earthquake that hit the Island

of Java in May 2006. What does it mean that 200,000 people were lift

without shelter?

4. Approximately, how many people have died in earthquakes since 2001?

_________________________________________________________

5. Create a graph to show the number of people killed in each earthquake.

_________________________________________________________

6. Which was the most powerful earthquake in the last decade?

_________________________________________________________

7. Which earthquake has caused the most damage?

____________________________________________________
Final Activity
Volcano Quiz

Circle the right answer:

1. What is the name of molten rock that erupts from
volcanoes? MAGMA - LAVA - VENT

2. What is the name of molten rock within the Earth's

crust? MAGMA - LAVA - VENT

3. What is the name of the tube through which molten

rock flows? PARASITIC - CONDUIT - BASE
4. In which part of the Earth would you find a magma
reservoir? CRUST - PARASITIC - CONDUIT

5. Composite volcanoes are made up of layers of lava

and ______. CONDUIT - ASH - MAGMA

6. What is the name of a smaller vent-structure on the

side of some volcanoes? SUMMIT - MAGMA
RESERVOIR - PARASITIC CONE

7. What is the name of the bowl-like opening of a

volcano? SILL - CRATER - ASH

8. Are ash clouds emitted from sills? YES - NO

9. What is the name of an opening through which

molten rock and gases escape from a volcano?
CONDUIT - VENT - FLANK

10. The sides of a volcano are called its flanks. YES -

NO
 Volcano Quiz Answers

1. What is the name of molten rock that erupts from volcanoes?

LAVA

2. What is the name of molten rock within the Earth's crust?

MAGMA

3. What is the name of the tube through which molten rock flows?
CONDUIT

4. In which part of the Earth would you find a magma reservoir?

CRUST

5. Composite volcanoes are made up of layers of lava and ______.

ASH

6. What is the name of a smaller vent-structure on the side of

some volcanoes? PARASITIC CONE

7. What is the name of the bowl-like opening of a volcano?

CRATER

8. Are ash clouds emitted from sills? NO

9. What is the name of an opening through which molten rock and

gases escape from a volcano? VENT

10. The sides of a volcano are called its flanks. YES