Making models - Earth's layers

Last week the students were learning about the different layers of rocks and minerals that make up the planet Earth. 

Each student made their own model to help them remember
each of the layers. 

We began by rolling one ball of grey clay. It represented the solid metal of the Earth's core. 
Next we flattened out a piece of red clay and wrapped it around our grey "inner core". The red was representative of liquid metal called the "outer core"   

Afterwards we grabbed yellow and flattened that as well! Once the kids had their yellow as flat and as wide as a small pancake we covered our red "outer core" with it. The yellow became the mantel - liquid rock! 

Finally the students mixed blue & green and made the outside of their models look similar to the Earth's surface - Crust. 




The crust is actually the layers found beneath the bedrock.  Inside the crust there are may layers as well.  These layers (Sedimentary, Metamorphic & Igneous) are going to be the focus or our Rocks and Minerals unit!