This check for 5th grade science fits on one page. A colored cross-section of Earth carries four numbered pointer lines, and students write the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core from a word bank. Below it they complete two sentences about the liquid layer and the thickest layer, put the four layers in order from hottest to coolest and write how scientists learn about layers that nobody has drilled to. Page 2 holds the answers, with sample wording about seismic waves.
“Label the four layers of the Earth on a cross-section.”
Item 1 uses numbered pointers and a word bank.
“Identify the liquid layer and the thickest layer, and order the layers from hottest to coolest.”
Items 2 and 3 on page 1.
“Explain how scientists learn about parts of the Earth they cannot visit.”
Item 4 expects a clue such as earthquake waves or volcanic rock.
A word bank of mantle, inner core, crust and outer core, and a round cross-section with pointers 1 to 4. Students write each name on its numbered line.
Two sentence starters: the liquid layer is the ___ and the thickest layer is the ___.
Four connected boxes where students write the layers in order of temperature.
One short written answer, on three lines, about how scientists learn about the layers when no one has drilled to the center.
The four layer names, the outer core and the mantle, the order inner core, outer core, mantle, crust, and a sample answer that mentions seismic waves, volcanic rocks and Earth's magnetic field.
End of the unit
Give it as a ten-minute check once the layers have been taught. Every item is on one page, so it copies and marks quickly.
Retrieval warm-up
Cover the word bank and ask students to label the diagram from memory at the start of the next lesson. Compare with the bank afterward.
Marking item 4
Accept seismic waves, volcanic rocks or Earth's magnetic field. Look for a named clue plus what it shows about a layer, rather than the single word earthquakes.
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