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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Soil Use in Our School Worksheets
Have students explore how soil is used around the school with this set of four differentiated worksheets.
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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of science vocabulary posters in your classroom when teaching about weathering, erosion and deposition.
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Uses of Soil Interactive Activity
Teach students how soil is used by animals, plants and humans with this interactive science game for Kindergarten students.
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Uses of Soil Mini-Book
Teach students about the uses of soil with this printable book, perfect for Kindergarten science lessons!
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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Matching Game
Challenge your students to identify different slow changes to Earth’s surface with this matching game designed for 4th and 5th-grade students.
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Kindergarten Seasons Worksheet
Practice identifying characteristics of each season and how to write them using this one-page worksheet.
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Characteristics of Seasons Interactive Activity
Use this activity-packed interactive resource to explore with your students the names and characteristics of summer, autumn, winter and spring!
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Weathering, Erosion & Deposition Interactive Activity
Use this set of interactive activities to strengthen student understanding of weathering, erosion and deposition concepts.
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Rock It Out With Weathering, Erosion and Deposition – Interactive Task Cards
Dive into the fascinating world of Earth’s transformations! Download this set of interactive task cards to review weathering, erosion and deposition concepts with your students.
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Soil Vocabulary Worksheet
Teach your students the subject-specific vocabulary related to soil and its properties with this vocabulary worksheet perfect for elementary school science lessons.
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Seasons, Weather and Our Choices Interactive Activity
Complete this whole-class interactive activity to teach students the connection between the seasonal conditions and their daily choices.
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The Importance of Soil – Comprehension Worksheets
Teach your students about the importance of soil to plants, animals and humans with this differentiated reading comprehension passage with accompanying questions.
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Plant Growth in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore how plants grow in different types of soil with this science experiment perfect for elementary school science lessons.
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Why Is Soil Important? Teaching Slides
Explain to your students how living things depend on soil with this informative teaching presentation perfect for elementary school science lessons.
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Seasonal Changes Display Banner Lettering
Create a science display board for your Seasons lessons, beginning with this visually engaging Seasonal Changes banner.
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The Importance of Soil Posters
Show your students how plants, animals and humans need soil to survive with this set of three informative classroom posters to accompany your science lessons.
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Order of Seasons Task Cards
Use these task cards to allow students to practice ordering images of seasonal changes across the year.
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Order of Seasons Interactive Activity
Explore the order of the seasons with your students by traveling through times of the year in this interactive adventure.
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The Earth's Seasons Teaching Slides
Use this fact-packed digital teaching resource to show your students the names and characteristics of Earth’s four seasons.
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Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere
Use these posters in the classroom to give students a visual representation of the seasons (and which months they inlcude in both the Northern Hemishpere and the Southern Hemisphere).
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Observing Soil Worksheet
Transform your students into soil detectives as they explore the color, texture and particle size of various soil types.
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Soil Properties Cut and Paste Worksheet
Download this soil properties cut-and-paste worksheet to explore soil types and their properties in your science lessons.
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What's the Season? Teaching Slides
Help your students explore the four seasons and how they affect everyday life using this colorful teaching presentation.
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Types of Soil Mini-Book
Teach your students about the four main types of soil with this printable book, perfect for your science lessons!
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Soil Word Wall Vocabulary Cards
Immerse your students in subject-specific vocabulary related to soil types and their properties with this set of 16 illustrated vocabulary cards.
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Weathering vs. Erosion Worksheet Pack
Support student understanding of weathering and erosion with this reading comprehension passage, worksheet and accompanying vocabulary activities.
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Types of Soil Chart
Remind your students about the four main types of soil with this soil chart for your classroom.
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Deforestation-Infographic Analysis Activity
Read and understand an infographic about Deforestation with a thought-provoking poster and comprehension questions.
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Types of Soils – Comprehension Worksheets
Explore the properties of sand, silt, loam and clay with a set of 4 reading passages with accompanying comprehension questions.
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Water Retention in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this science experiment for kids.
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Properties of Soil Teaching Slides
Explore the properties of sand, silt, loam and clay with this comprehensive set of teaching slides.
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Water Sources Teaching Slides and Workbook
Learn all about water sources and how it relates to the water cycle with this teaching presentation and matching workbook.