NSTA ARTICLE REVIEW: LAYER-CAKE EARTH
I chose this article to be in my collection because I feel that science should be heavily a hands-on experience, and this activity contributes to a hands-on classroom experience. Also, who d... See More
I chose this article to be in my collection because I feel that science should be heavily a hands-on experience, and this activity contributes to a hands-on classroom experience. Also, who doesn't love cake?
From reading this article, I learned that using a layered cake in the classroom and having students investigate it relates very closely to examine the layers of the Earth. What an excellent experience for a student!
TEKS that teachers can use for this article for 3rd grade are 3.4.A. and 3.7.A:
3.4.A: Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to: collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.
3.7.A: Earth and space. The student knows that Earth consists of natural resources and its surface is constantly changing. The student is expected to: explore and record how soils are formed by weathering of rock and the decomposition of plant and animal remains.
Both of these TEKs could be used with this article by students closely comparing the cake layers to the real earth layers. It is vital for students to have an understanding and relation to the Earth with a represented model.
Overall, I think this article would be a huge hit with students and is a very helpful article for the teacher. It has pictures to relate the description of the activity better, excellent charts to help with the level of understanding, activity sheets, and charts to help the students, along with in understanding the activity in correlation to the TEKS that have been listed above. I agree with this article in its hands-on approach for students to understand the Earth better.