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Earth's Systems Unit Introduction: Earth's Layers and the Rock Cycle

Grade 6 - NC 2023 Science Standards (Earth's Systems)

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Type
lesson
Grade Level
Grade 6
Duration
45 minutes
Questions
10

Description

A 45 minute unit introduction focused on Earth's internal layers and the rock cycle, including two check-your-understanding sections aligned to NC Grade 6 standards ESS.6.2.1 and ESS.6.2.3.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe Earth's crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core using a model (relative position, composition, and density).

  • Explain how rocks change through the rock cycle and connect rock weathering to soil formation using a model.

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Unit question: How does Earth's inside shape Earth's surface? Today we start by looking inside Earth (layers) and then zoom back out to how rocks change over time (the rock cycle).

📖 Key terms for today

crust, mantle, core, density, convection, magma, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation

Cross section diagram of Earth showing crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core with a depth scale labeled in kilometers.

Earth has layers with different compositions and densities. The crust is thin and rocky. The mantle is much thicker and made of hot rock that is mostly solid but can flow slowly. The core is mostly iron and nickel. The outer core is liquid, and the inner core is solid due to very high pressure.

💡 Check your understanding 1: Earth's layers

Answer the questions Q-LAY-1 through Q-LAY-4. Use the Earth layers diagram as your model.

Rock cycle diagram showing magma, igneous rock, sediments, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock connected by labeled processes such as cooling, weathering, compaction, heat and pressure, and melting.

Rocks change when conditions change. Internal heat can melt rock into magma or change rock through heat and pressure. Surface processes like weathering and erosion break rocks into sediments. Over time, sediments can become sedimentary rock. Weathering also helps form soil, and different rocks can lead to different soil compositions.

💡 Check your understanding 2: The rock cycle and soil

Answer the questions Q-ROCK-1 through Q-ROCK-4. Use the rock cycle diagram as your model.

💡 Exit ticket

Answer Q-EXIT-1 and Q-EXIT-2. Keep answers short but specific.

Assessment Questions

10 questions
1

Which layer is mostly liquid?

Multiple Choice
2

Place Earth's layers in order from the outside to the center.

Ordering
3

The slow movement in the mantle caused by hotter material rising and cooler material sinking is called ______.

Fill Blank
4

Scientists cannot drill to the core. What is one kind of evidence they use to learn about Earth's inside, and why does it help?

Short Answer
5

Which processes can help form sedimentary rock? (Select all that apply)

Multiple Select
+ 5 more questions

Standards Alignment

ESS.6.2.1
Use models to summarize the structure of the earth, including the layers, the mantle and core based on the relative position, composition and density.
ESS.6.2.3
Use models to explain the rock cycle and its relationship to the formation of soil (including how different types of soil come from different types of rocks).

Resource Details

Subject
Science
Language
EN-US
Author
Kris Tyte
License
CC-BY-4.0
PRISM ID
nc6-earth-systems-layers-rockcycle-intro

Usage

31
Views
0
Imports

Keywords

Earth systems Earth layers rock cycle soil formation NC DPI Grade 6

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