Earth's Spheres: How Do They Talk to Each Other?
Shared by A STEM Educator
Students will construct a written CER argument explaining how interactions among Earth's four spheres cause or worsen real-world environmental events, using evidence from observations and informational text.
Lesson Overview
Students investigate how Earth's four spheres (geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere) interact through the lens of urban flooding and agricultural drought, building toward a CER argument about sphere interdependence.
Materials
- Terrarium or photo of a terrarium (warm-up)
- Earth's Spheres sorting cards (one set per pair)
- Local environment photo cards (urban flood scene, dry farm field)
- Informational text: 'When It Rains Too Much' and 'The Dry Season' (1-page each)
- Sphere Interaction graphic organizer
- Colored pencils (4 colors, one per sphere)
- CER writing frame handout
- Exit slip half-sheets
- Chart paper and markers for VNPS
Scaffolded Task Progression
Below is a list of things found in or near a city that recently flooded. Sort each item into the correct Earth sphere. Write the sphere name next to each item.
1. Rainwater rushing down a street
2. A tree knocked over by wind
3. Topsoil washed away from a park
4. Smoggy air trapped over the city
5. A robin searching for worms in wet mud
6. A riverbank crumbling into the water
7. Puddles soaking into the ground
8. Pollen floating in the air
After sorting, make a claim: In one sentence, state whether you think these items are connected to each other or completely separate.
Read this scenario:
*A heavy rainstorm hits a city. Streets flood. Soil washes into the river. Trees and grass are flattened. The air smells like mud and exhaust.*
Using the CER writing frame, write your initial claim answering the anchoring question: Does this flood affect only one sphere, or does it affect all four?
You do NOT need evidence yet — just your best thinking right now. You will revise this claim later.
Unlock the full lesson
See all 7 scaffolded tasks, the full answer key, warm-up, exit slip, and a print-ready version — free to start.
Create a free accountAlready have an account? Sign in
Like this lesson but want to tweak it?
Make an editable copy and adjust the tasks, warm-up, and answer key to fit your class — no need to start from scratch.