Layers in the Earth

This activity, created by Edward Haley, demonstrates how sedimentary layers were deposited in horizontal positions and later repositioned by natural forces. The activity also focuses on the plans and animals which become part of the layering and later turned into fossil fuel sources.

In small groups, students will construct a model tectonic plate using a cookie sheet as a base and color-coded clay layers to represent different formations. Using various household ingredients (chocolate, charcoal, toothpicks, marbles, solder, and hard candy) to represent organic materials, and hardware (wood and butter knives) to make faults, layers will be pushed or pulled to simulate converging or diverging plates. The lesson will teach students to understand how layering occurs, describe how layers can change position, identify and label examples of vocabulary, and write journal entries. From start to finish, the lesson should take no more than two-ninety minute class periods.

Intended for fifth graders, this activity assumes that students have prior knowledge of erosion and weathering, the rock cycle, the principle of superposition, and the basics of plate tectonics.