Layers of the Atmosphere 5E Lesson Plan | Environmental Science | Grades 9–12

Layers of the Atmosphere 5E Lesson Plan is a complete 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) lesson plan for high school Environmental Science (grades 9–12) on Layers of the Atmosphere.

Pairs with: Layers of the Atmosphere Slide Show Presentation; Layers of the Atmosphere Guided Notes; Layers of the Atmosphere Lesson Quiz; Layers of the Atmosphere Vocabulary Words & Definitions.

Sections: Academic Standards Alignment & Performance Expectations; Essential Questions & Learning Objectives; Key Academic Vocabulary; 1. Engage (5 Min); 2. Explore (12 Min); 3. Explain (15 Min); 4. Elaborate (8 Min); 5. Evaluate (5 Min). Sample item: “1. How do thermal lapse rates, gas composition, and barometric pressure define the physical boundaries between Earth's atmospheric layers?”

What's inside: 5E Lesson Plan (editable .docx + PDF, about 2,570 words, 10 pages); answer key / model answers for the teacher.

Standards: HS-ESS2-4 — Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.

Resource type: 5E Lesson Plan. Format: editable Microsoft Word file plus a ready-to-print PDF.

Classroom use: Follow the five phases over one to two class periods; the plan lists objectives, materials, and teacher moves for each phase. Built for high school Environmental Science, grades 9–12.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.