Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic concepts of earth's atmosphere and its importance.

Materials and Prep

• Pen and paper
• Access to the internet or a science textbook

Prior knowledge required: Basic understanding of the layers of the Earth.

Activities

1. Research and Take Notes: Use the internet or a science textbook to research the different layers of the Earth's atmosphere - troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Take notes on the characteristics and functions of each layer.
2. Create a Diagram: Draw a labeled diagram of the Earth's atmosphere, including the different layers and their approximate altitudes.
3. Atmospheric Composition: Write a short paragraph explaining the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, including the percentage of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
4. Importance of the Atmosphere: Write a persuasive essay highlighting the importance of the Earth's atmosphere for the existence and survival of life on our planet. Include specific examples of how the atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation, regulates temperature, and supports weather patterns.

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• "The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding our planet."
• "The atmosphere is divided into five main layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere."
• "The troposphere is the layer closest to the Earth's surface, where weather occurs and we live. It contains about 75% of the atmosphere's mass."
• "The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which helps protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation."
• "The mesosphere is the layer where meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere."
• "The thermosphere is the layer with the highest temperatures, but it would feel very cold to us because it is so thin."
• "The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, gradually merging with space."
• "The Earth's atmosphere is mostly composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%)."
• "Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas that helps regulate the Earth's temperature."
• "The atmosphere plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful radiation, regulating temperature, and supporting weather patterns."