Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource
Earth's Systems Working Together — 5E Lesson Plan
Earth Science · 55 minutes
Grade 5
5E lesson flow
01
Engage
7 min
Teacher Does
Show eight components.
Students Do
Notice and classify.
Ask
- What is each component?
Look For
Component reasoning.
02
Explore
14 min
Teacher Does
Guide the sort and river model.
Students Do
Classify all eight and build an arrow.
Ask
- What does it mean?
Look For
Correct categories and direction.
03
Explain
10 min
Teacher Does
Formalize systems and interactions.
Students Do
Explain hydrosphere → geosphere.
Ask
- Which affects which?
Look For
Specific language.
04
Elaborate
15 min
Teacher Does
Increase flow and add roots/soil.
Students Do
Predict and transfer.
Ask
- What may change?
Look For
Cautious prediction.
05
Evaluate
9 min
Teacher Does
Present a flawed model.
Students Do
Repair it and name a limit.
Ask
- What is left out?
Look For
Focused repair.
Student goal
I can classify Earth components and build a focused interaction model.
Learning objectives
- Classify specific Earth components as part of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, or biosphere.
- Build a model that shows a specific interaction between two Earth systems and gives each arrow a clear meaning.
- Use the model to predict one effect of changing a component while keeping the explanation focused on two systems at a time.
Materials
- Eight component cards
- Four category mats
- Arrow cards
- River-bank model
- Roots/soil model
- Flawed-model card
Before class
- Prepare the exact eight cards.
- Keep assessed models focused on two systems.
- Require specific components and directional arrows.
- Prepare the flawed model.
Prior knowledge
- Students recognize water, land, air, and living things.
- Students can interpret arrows.
Vocabulary
- system
- A set of connected parts that interact.
- interaction
- A way two parts of a system affect one another.
- geosphere
- Earth's solid rocks, soil, land, and interior.
- hydrosphere
- Earth's water, including rivers, oceans, groundwater, and ice.
- atmosphere
- The layer of gases surrounding Earth.
- biosphere
- All living things and the places they live.
- model
- A representation used to explain or predict how a system works.
Differentiation
- Color-code categories.
- Provide component icons.
- Allow oral explanations.
- Extend only after the two-system model.
Assessment
- Check all eight classifications.
- Check both arrows.
- Check prediction and limitation.
Exit ticket
Name two components, their systems, and the directional effect.
Extension
Add a third system after completing the required model.