Earth Science Teaching Resources
Browse printable Earth science worksheets, digital activities and a whole lot more to bring the wonders of our planet to life in your elementary classroom!
This collection of NGSS curriculum-aligned teaching resources has been created by our expert teacher team to save your valuable lesson planning time with differentiated and editable science printables and Google slides.
Looking to learn more about the Earth science curriculum for elementary school, or just need some fresh ideas to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is Earth Science?
We know this one may seem obvious — after all, it's right there in the name! But how do you explain this one to your students? Here's a kid-friendly definition you can use!
Earth Science is the study of our planet Earth and it's a chance to learn about the different layers of the Earth, rocks and minerals, weather patterns and climate, water and oceans and natural resources.
Earth scientists use different tools to study the Earth, including looking at rocks, studying the weather, and even using satellites to take pictures from space. By learning about Earth science, we can better understand the world around us and how we can protect and take care of our planet.
What Does Earth Science Look Like in Elementary School?
When we talk about Earth science (or geology) in elementary school, we aren't pulling out reference tables or digging deep into climatology.
On an elementary level, Earth science covers everything from the layers of the Earth to plate tectonics to erosion and weathering. The goal is to provide students with a basic understanding of the Earth and its processes and to develop kids' scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills, laying the groundwork for the more focused Earth science courses available on a high school level.
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Comprehension Worksheets - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Read and learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with a reading comprehension passage and worksheet pack.
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Why Plant a Tree? Infographic Analysis Activity & Posters
Teach about Arbor Day or Earth Day with an infographic poster and a cloze note-taking worksheet about the importance of trees in our environment.
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Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Use this science experiment when learning about the different types and features of clouds and how they contribute to the water cycle.
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Environmental Awareness Flip Book - Earth Day Activity
Use this flip book to build awareness of actions that are good and bad for the environment.
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How About This Weather? - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores different types of weather and subsequent observable changes.
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Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources - Anchor Charts
Examine renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, including wind energy, hydro energy, solar energy, natural gas, oil, and coal with a pair of printable posters.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Environmental Word Wall
Help your young students learn about recycling and conservation with an illustrated word wall.
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Weather Tools – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Match weather tools with their corresponding picture and description with this cut and paste worksheet.
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Recycling I Spy and Sort Worksheet
Sort different pieces of trash into their appropriate bins with this I Spy worksheet.
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Natural or Man-made? - Worksheet
Distinguish between natural and man-made resources with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Mini-Book
Introduce your students to the different slow changes to Earth’s surface with a printable mini-book designed for 4th and 5th-grade students.
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Natural Disasters – Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of free word wall cards that focus on natural disasters.
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Water Cycle Diagram
Display this water cycle diagram when teaching about the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of the Earth.
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Weather Tools – Mini-Book
Introduce various weather tools to your students with this 12-page integrated activity mini-book.
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Predicting Weather – Worksheet
Use data tables to answer questions and make predictions about temperature and precipitation with this weather worksheet.
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Looking at Landforms Worksheet
Identify the major landforms of the world with a labeling worksheet.
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Landforms of the World - Brochure Template
Add to your bank of landform project ideas with a free Landform Research Brochure.
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Diagram of a Volcano - Labeling Worksheet
Label the diagram of a volcano with a printable volcano worksheet.
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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition – Teaching Slides
Learn about the different types of weathering, effects of erosion, results of deposition and more with this set of teaching slides.
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Where Do Natural Resources Come From? Differentiated Worksheet
Explore where natural resources are found with a pair of differentiated natural resource worksheets.
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Weather Vocabulary Cards
Use this set of 12 weather vocabulary cards to explore words that cover terms such as sunny, humid, overcast, and foggy.
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Weather Word Wall Vocabulary
Use this teacher-created weather resource to teach weather vocabulary. Build a word wall with your students during your weather lessons.
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Label a Soil Profile – Worksheet
Identify and label different layers with this soil profile worksheet.
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My Ecological Footprint - Reference Sheet
Teach your students about the things we do that affect the Earth with an ecological footprint reference sheet.
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My Favorite Season First Grade Worksheet
Activate your First Grade students' prior knowledge about the seasons using this worksheet which prompts them to state which is their favorite season and justify their choice.
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What Needs Soil to Grow? Coloring Worksheet
Teach students what needs soil to grow with this coloring worksheet for early years students.
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Seasons, Weather and Our Choices Worksheets
Hand out these eight great seasons worksheets to help your students learn all about the seasonal changes and the way they affect our everyday choices.
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Four Seasons Tree Activity
Use this template with your students to create a visual display of the different seasons.
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Water Cycle Mini Workbook
Explore the different elements of the water cycle with this activity mini book.
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Water Cycle in a Bag – Investigation Activity
Create a water cycle in a bag, make observations, and answer discussion questions with this printable science activity.
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All About Clouds - Cloze Worksheet
Strengthen student understanding of different cloud types with this cloze reading worksheet.
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Conserve Energy in the Classroom – Student Reminders
Inspire your students to conserve electricity with these energy-saving reminders that can be placed around the classroom.