Fifth graders explore the blanket of air around the Earth, from the troposphere where weather happens up to the exosphere where space begins, and learn what each layer does.
Students will be able to…
The air does not stop above our heads; it rises in layers for hundreds of miles. What are the layers of the atmosphere, and what happens in each?
Project this and open each card to explore a layer of the atmosphere, from the ground up to the edge of space.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
The air does not just stop above our heads; it rises in layers for hundreds of miles. What are the layers of the atmosphere, and what happens in each?
Students explore the atmosphere layers.
Students locate features by layer.
Students draw a labeled diagram.
Students reflect on the atmosphere.
Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core literacy. State-standard crosswalks available on request.
Develop a model to describe ways the geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact.
Represent data in tables and graphs to describe weather conditions.
Developing and using models to describe a system.
Draw on information from multiple sources to answer a question.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students draw five stacked layers, label each in order, and add one feature per layer, so the atmosphere becomes something they can picture. A printable atmosphere worksheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.