Developmental Lesson Plan

Teacher Candidate: Nicole Smith and Rachel Ficco Date: April 19th 2017

Group Size: 20-25 students Allotted Time 45 minutes Grade Level: 3rd Grade

Subject or Topic: Layers of the Earth

Common Core/PA Standard(s):
3.3.3.B1
-Relate the rotation of the earth and day/night, to the apparent movement of the sun, moon,
and stars across the sky. Describe the changes that occur in the observable shape of the moon
over the course of a month.

Learning Targets/Objectives: Third grade students will be able to identify the layers of the
Earth through vocabulary and an experiment.

Assessment Approaches: Evidence:

1. Watch and ask questions to further 1. Observation
understanding 2. Anecdotal Record
2. Give a brief written description of students
performance and knowledge.

Assessment Scale: Collect students KWL charts, and take Anecdotal Record of each
student. While doing the experiment, students should demonstrate that they know the
Earth contains four layers.

Subject Matter/Content: The Layers of the Earth

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of the Earth and the fact that it contains four layers.
Key Vocabulary:
Crust- Outermost layer of a planet where we live.
Mantle- Layer of the Earth between the Core and the Crust.
Outer Core- Made up of iron and nickel, located between the mantle and the inner
core.
Inner Core- Made up of iron and nickel just like the Outer Core, however it is deepest
and the hottest part of the Earth.
Content/Facts: Our planet Earth has four layers. Each layer plays a different part and is made
of different material.

Introduction/Activating/Launch Strategies:
To begin the lesson, each student will complete a KWL chart demonstrating what they
know about the layers of the Earth, what they want to know, and at the end they will
touch on what they learned.
After completing the KWL chart, students with pair up with a partner and do a Think,
Pair, Share. Students will share what both of them wrote on their KWL chart. Then as a
class we will come together and discuss what we know, what we want to know, and
what we will learn.

Development/Teaching Approaches:

Students will view a PowerPoint presentation including the vocabulary such as Mantle,
Inner Core, Outer Core, and Crust.
Students will then view a Brain Pop video to help reinforce the vocabulary and
material showing that the Earth has four layers.
( https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/earthsstructure/)
After the class discussion, as a class we will make a hypothesis of what is going to
happen. Students will raise their hands if they think the rocks, gravel, and sand will be
mixed together. Then students will raise their hands if they think that the rocks, gravel,
and sand will stay in layers.
Students will be in groups of four. Each group will receive a cup, cup of sand, cup of
Reflective Response:
Report of Student Learning Target/Objectives Proficiency Levels

Remediation Plan (if applicable)

Personal Reflection Questions

Additional reflection/thoughts