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Rock layers and Earth's history

REPRESENTATIONAL
Science›Earth's Systems|Ages 10—11|ID: mt_0_K-GrKQpd

Interpret cross-section diagrams of the Earth's interior, geological strata, and rock cycle; read and label layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core); understand that deeper layers in sedimentary sequences are older

Mastery Evidence

  • Label the four layers of the Earth on a cross-section diagram using the correct terms
  • Interpret a diagram of sedimentary rock layers and identify which layer was deposited first
  • Read a rock cycle diagram and trace the pathway of a rock from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] sees a cut-away diagram of the Earth, can they point to and name the different layers — and if shown stacked rock layers, can they say which layer formed first?”

Prerequisites1

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  • 3-D shapes (age 9+) soft

    Interpreting cross-section diagrams of Earth builds on the skill of identifying 3-D shapes from 2-D representations

    • 2-D shapes (age 7+) hard

      Y3 drawing 2D and making 3D shapes is prerequisite to identifying 3D from 2D representations

      • Edges, vertices, and faces hard

        Making/describing 3-D shapes requires knowing their properties (edges, vertices, faces)

        • 3-D shapes hard

          Describing 3-D properties (edges, vertices, faces) requires knowing the shapes first

        • Nets of 3-D Shapes soft

          Counting edges, vertices, and faces is reinforced by analysing nets where each face is visible as a separate 2-D shape

        • 3-D shapes (age 5+) hard

          Formal property description extends informal analysis of shapes

          • 2-D shapes hard

            Analysing and comparing shapes requires being able to name them first

          • 3-D shapes hard

            Analysing 3-D shapes requires recognising and naming them

      • 2-D shapes (age 6+) hard

        Drawing 2-D shapes requires knowing their properties

        • Angles in triangles (age 6+) soft

          Understanding defining attributes supports describing shape properties formally

          • 2-D shapes hard

            Distinguishing defining vs non-defining attributes requires knowing common 2-D shape names first

          • 3-D shapes (age 5+) hard

            Identifying defining attributes builds on informal analysis and comparison of shapes

            • 2-D shapes hard

              Analysing and comparing shapes requires being able to name them first

            • 3-D shapes hard

              Analysing 3-D shapes requires recognising and naming them

        • 2-D shapes hard

          Describing properties of 2-D shapes (sides, symmetry) requires knowing the shapes first

        • 3-D shapes (age 5+) hard

          Formal property description extends informal analysis of sides and vertices

          • 2-D shapes hard

            Analysing and comparing shapes requires being able to name them first

          • 3-D shapes hard

            Analysing 3-D shapes requires recognising and naming them

      • Nets of 3-D Shapes soft

        Drawing 2-D shapes and making 3-D shapes from materials is supported by being able to sketch and interpret nets

    • Nets of 3-D Shapes hard

      Identifying 3-D shapes from 2-D representations requires understanding the relationship between a net and its solid

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