Scale Model of Earth's Layers

5th Grade ScienceLayers of the Earth3 pages

About this worksheet

Dividing by 500 is the main skill on this 3-page 5th grade sheet about Earth's layers. Page 1 states that the distance to Earth's center is about 6,400 km and sets a scale of 1 cm to 500 km. Students complete a table that converts the mantle (2,900 km), the outer core (2,200 km), the inner core radius (1,200 km) and the total depth into centimeters, with the crust done for them. On page 2 they mark and color the layers on a 13 cm strip above a ruler and answer two questions. The key shows the working and the end mark of each layer.

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Scale Model of Earth's Layers: Layers of the Earth - page 1

Scale Model of Earth's Layers: Layers of the Earth - page 2

Scale Model of Earth's Layers: Layers of the Earth - page 3

Curriculum objectives covered

“Convert kilometers to centimeters using a scale of 1 cm = 500 km.”

The Part 1 table asks for four divisions by 500.

“Measure and mark lengths on a ruler to build a scale model.”

Part 2 places each layer on a 13 cm strip.

“Compare the sizes of Earth's layers.”

Questions 3 and 4 ask why the crust is so thin and which layer takes up the most space.

What's inside this worksheet

Part 1 Calculate the Scale

A tip box explains km ÷ 500 = cm. A table lists the crust, mantle, outer core, inner core radius and total depth, with the crust filled in as less than 0.1 cm and four blanks for students to complete.

Part 2 Draw and Color Your Scale Model

A blank strip sits above a ruler marked from 0 to 13 cm. Students start at Earth's surface on the left, mark each layer from their table, color it and label it from a four-word bank.

Questions

Two questions with four lines each: why the crust is so hard to draw at this scale, and which layer takes up the most space.

Answers

The completed table with each division written out, the end mark of each layer (0.07, 5.87, 10.27 and 12.67 cm) and sample answers to both questions.

How teachers use it

Rulers out

Run it as a pair task with one ruler and one strip per pair. Check the table before students draw, because a wrong division gives a wrong strip.

Thin line talk

Question 3 is the point of the activity. Hold up a sharpened pencil tip against the crust width of under 1 millimeter, so students see why it is a line.

Rounding note

The rounded layers add up to about 12.7 cm, while 6,400 km gives 12.8. Mention it before students notice, since it makes a short talk on rounding.

More 5th Grade Science worksheets

Matter and Its Interactions Earth's Systems Ecosystems Engineering Design Photosynthesis Physical and Chemical Changes Digestive System Gravity Layers of the Atmosphere

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