Modeling Layers of Earth Complete Science Lesson - New TEKS 6.10B

This complete unit provides middle school teachers with everything needed to teach the layers of Earth—the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Students learn how to model and describe Earth’s layers through a combination of editable presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, a differentiated station lab, and assessments. Designed for multiday use with low-to-no prep, the lesson emphasizes student-led, differentiated learning, allowing teachers to focus on guiding success.

Essential Questions for Students

• How can we model the layers of Earth, including the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust?

• How do we describe the layers of Earth, including the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust?

Standards Alignment: Meets 2021 TEKS standard 6.10B.

Key Features

• Differentiated supports for students at different readiness levels

• Multimodal learning activities to sustain engagement

• Flexibility in format—resources are both printable and digital

• Editable PowerPoints for classroom customization

• Spanish translations for vocabulary, station lab passages, and interactive notebook pages

Instructional Framework: The 5E Model

This lesson is built on the 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—ensuring a balance of inquiry, exploration, and assessment.

Engage

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards (English & Spanish)

• Teacher guide with class activities, discussion prompts, and misconceptions

Explore

• A nine-station, student-led lab to introduce and investigate Earth’s layers

Input Stations:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration or experiment

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension questions

• Research It! – Guided web-based exploration with structured tasks

• Watch It! – Short video with reflection questions

Output Stations:

• Organize It! – Sorting and categorization (print or digital)

• Write It! – Open-ended written responses in complete sentences

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching activities to reinforce retention

• Assess It! – Vocabulary-in-context and mastery questions

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Enrichment activities such as puzzles, games, and mini-projects for early finishers

Explain

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

• Interactive Notebook templates (digital & print, English & Spanish)

• Note-taking organizers for guided practice

Elaborate

• Student-choice projects on Earth’s layers to extend learning in class or at home

Evaluate

• Assessments updated for STAAR 2.0, available in standard and modified formats

• Review worksheets and discussion questions for practice, homework, or class review

Flexible Learning Options

This resource is designed for both in-class and virtual learning. The station lab and interactive notebook activities are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making it easy to adapt to a variety of settings.

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.