SEEd - Grade 7
Lesson Plans

Strand 7.2: CHANGES TO EARTH OVER TIME

Earth's processes are dynamic and interactive, and are the result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among Earth’s systems. Energy from the sun and Earth's internal heat are the main sources driving these processes. Plate tectonics is a unifying theory that explains crustal movements of Earth’s surface, how and where different rocks form, the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes, and the distribution of fossil plants and animals.

Standard 7.2.4

Develop and use a scale model of the matter in Earth’s interior to demonstrate how differences in density and chemical composition (silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium) cause the formation of the crust, mantle, and core. (ESS2.A)

• Finding the Density of Earth
  Students will use rock samples to determine the density of Earth.
• How Dense?
  Students will be given a selection of substances and asked to put them in order from least dense to most, similar to layering in Earth. They must justify their choices and be able to write the rationale down. They may make measurements using the equipment of their choice.
• Journey to the Center of the Earth
  Students will write a short essay describing a hypothetical (but accurate) journey to the center of the Earth.
• Layers of Density (and BEYOND!)
  Students will work in small groups to demonstrate the effect of density on the layering of liquids and will calculate the density of each layer to look for patterns.
• Matching by Density
  The student will calculate the density of a given object and place it in the right layer of the Earth by matching its density to a known quantity.
• Models of Earth
  Students will probe a clay ball to determine the interior. This is what learning about the center of the Earth is like. Students will analyze several incorrect models and the correct model.
• RAFT Journey in the Earth
  The students will write a RAFT (role, audience, format, topic) about an imaginary trip inside Earth.
• Rock Density, part 1
  Students will use water displacement and triple beam balances to calculate the density of different kinds of rocks that are common on Earth.
• Rock Density, part 2
  After students have completed part 1 then have them compare items in the classroom to the densities of the rocks that they measured in part 1.

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