Modeling Layers of the Earth Station Lab New TEKS6.10B

This student-led, modular station lab supports the 2021 TEKS 6.10B standard by guiding middle school students to model and describe Earth’s layers—the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Students rotate through a series of multimodal activities that combine hands-on practice, digital exploration, reading, and written response. The format reduces prep for teachers while empowering students to take ownership of their learning.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine stations total: eight core learning activities plus one challenge station for enrichment

• Differentiated to meet the needs of a wide range of learners

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources for implementation

• The Explore It! station may require simple classroom materials commonly already available

Students can complete the lab individually or in small groups, making it adaptable for different classroom structures.

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version includes drag-and-drop tasks in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Watch It! – Short video with guided comprehension questions

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with vocabulary and comprehension checks

• Research It! – Facts, images, and graphs paired with guided questions on a lab sheet

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting and categorization with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching Earth’s layers to reinforce recall and understanding

• Write It! – Short-answer written prompts requiring complete sentences

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context exercises to check mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Extension activities such as puzzles, crosswords, and mini-projects for early finishers or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This lab is designed for both in-person and virtual instruction. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making the resource easy to integrate into blended or online learning environments.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.