Step-by-Step: Model of Earth’s Layers
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Today, while Brianna works on a paper mache cutaway model of the earth, the younger kids will be making paper models. I made a sample this weekend to show them what we’re going for. It was easy enough and I think it will be enjoyable for the younger kids.
Supplies for Making a Model of Earth’s Layers
- an Earth outline (scroll down for the Earth coloring page)
- five colors of construction paper
- crayons or colored pencils
- scissors (or, if you have it, the Creative Memories Cutting System circles work fabulously for this)
- glue
How to Make a Simple Model of Earth’s Layers
Step 1: Cut out and color the Earth coloring page.
Step 2: Cut out the first construction paper circle the same size as the Earth circle. Then, cut out the remaining four circle in gradually smaller sizes.
Step 3: Glue the largest shape to the back of the Earth sheet. Then, glue the next largest shape and so on until they’re all glued.
Step 4 (optional): Label each layer: crust, upper mantle, lower mantle, outer core and inner core.
(Note: Most websites I’ve seen combine the upper and lower mantle and simply call it the mantle, giving the Earth four layers, rather than five. Our science text, Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space, lists them separately. I would recommend going with whatever your particular science text has.)
Alternate: You could do a cutaway picture of the layers by gluing the layers as stated above, then, cut out 1/4 of the Earth page and glue it over all of the construction paper layers, rather than on the back of the largest one.
This looks a lot less sticky than the layer model we did last year involving rice crispies, peanut butter, cherries, and crushed cookies. It was fun, but it was bigtime messy LOL
I noticed the seperation of the mantle into upper and lower in some texts and not in others…
I wish I still had my bookmarks (using a different computer) because I had a few cute sites saved that applied to the earths layers…if I can find them again, I’ll leave you links.
Have I mentioned how glad I am that you are ahead of me. LOL! You get to inspire me.
You are full of great ideas! Because I love your blog, I give you The Butterfly Award. You can collect it here: https://crispy-not-crunchy.blogspot.com/2009/01/id-like-to-thank-academy.html
Very cool!!! Tyfs!!! We will be trying something like this soon… =)
Hope your having a great day!!
This was a perfect idea to read about here… my 3rd grader is in the process of putting together his first lap book, and he will definitely be including this in it. I’m sort of a newbie here at your blog and at blogging in general, and this blog is just chock full of woderful ideas. Thanks! ~ Maria
https://www.pocketfulofbliss.blogspot.com
I really like this lesson – and I'm sending this along to my daughter who's considering homeschooling. PS, It was nice to find my free coloring page of the Earth recommended here as a printable.
I love these hands-on science projects. Thanks for sharing!
thanks for this, just did it with my daughter. she loved it.
Great! I'm so glad to hear that.
thanks for this model .my cousin is going to do this
I could not find the earth specifically on the page that’s linked anymore (I might have overlooked it), but it is on the same site with a little digging: https://parenting.leehansen.com/downloads/coloring/MISC/EarthPlanet.htm
Thanks for tracking down the new link and letting me know! I got it updated.