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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Flood Safety Poster Activity
An activity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the impact of floods.
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Natural, Managed, and Constructed Environments PowerPoint
Explore some of the features of environments with this 17-slide teaching deck.
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Natural Disaster Posters - Information
Posters with pictures and information for 8 different types of natural disasters.
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Natural Disasters Safety Poster
A task to be used when investigating how to remain safe in the event of a natural disaster.
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Wildlife Conservation Vocabulary Words
Help your students build academic vocabulary skills surrounding animal and wildlife conservation with a printable word wall.
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Cloud Graphing Activity
A worksheet to use when graphing cloud observations.
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What Can Be Recycled? Poster
A poster showing the products that can be recycled.
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Overfishing – Infographic Poster and Worksheet
Explore overfishing and its effects on marine environments with this eye-opening infographic poster and accompanying comprehension worksheet.
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Seasons Sorting Activity
Teach students in K-2 the proper clothing, activities, and objects for different types of weather with this four seasons activity.
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Four Seasons Spinner Activity - Northern Hemisphere
Spinner resource to consolidate your students' knowledge of the different seasons.
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Tornado in a Jar Worksheet
A science activity that demonstrates some properties and effects of motion.
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The Seasons Around the World Posters and Worksheet
A diagram showing the Earth's rotation around the sun and the corresponding seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
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Natural and Built Environments Sort Activity
A natural and built environments sort activity.
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Water Overuse – Infographic Poster and Worksheet
Explore the overuse of water and its effects on the world’s population with this eye-opening infographic poster and accompanying comprehension worksheet.
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Water Conservation Foldable
Display different ways to save water with this water conservation foldable.
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Occupations and Sustainability in Technologies Assessment
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of occupations and sustainability in technologies.
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Sustainability in Occupations
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investiagate why occupations within the community need to be sustainable.
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Sustainability in the Community
A 60 minute lesson in which students will develop an understanding of key vocabulary commonly used in relation to sustainability.
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Making a Mini Water Cycle Experiment
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate how the water cycle works.
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Seasons of Change
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How About This Weather?
A 60-minute lesson in which students will explore the changes in the weather.
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