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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Describing Rocks and Soils Vocabulary Cards
Introduce your little learners to the academic vocabulary they need to describe rocks and minerals with a printable rocks vocabulary word wall.
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Weathering and Erosion – RACES Writing Strategy Worksheets
Combine reading, writing and science with two worksheets about weathering and erosion using the RACES writing strategy for text evidence.
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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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Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition – Sorting Activity
Categorize examples of deposition, weathering, and erosion with this 24-card sorting activity.
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Water Cycle Bingo
Learn water cycle vocabulary with this fun game of Bingo!
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Water Cycle Worksheet Pack
Discover everything there is to know and learn about the water cycle with this collection of worksheets suitable for elementary school students.
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Carbon Footprint Draw and Write
Help your students be more eco-conscious by having them complete a carbon footprint worksheet.
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Illustrating the Water Cycle – Template
Illustrate the stages of the water cycle with this printable template.
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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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Types of Clouds – Poster Pack
Learn about nimbus, cirrus, stratus, and cumulus clouds with this set of 4 printable posters.
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What Can We Recycle? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Remember what to recycle with a cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Water Cycle Words - Illustrated Word Wall
Boost vocabulary skills and understanding with an illustrated water cycle word wall.
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Natural Resources Word Search
Review the different natural resources with a word search.
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Earth Day Word Search - Printable
Identify environmental terms with this Earth Day word search.
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Dress for the Weather Match-Up Activity
Identify proper clothing choices for different weather conditions with a clothing and climate matching activity.
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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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Wind Speed & Direction – Worksheet
Demonstrate understanding of wind speed and direction with this worksheet.
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4th Grade Writing Worksheets: Tornado Text-Based Writing
Enhance your students' comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills using 4th Grade writing worksheets and a high-interest reading passage about Tornadoes.
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Landforms Vocabulary Match
Identify the major landforms of the world with a matching activity.
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Dress for the Weather Worksheet
Identify proper clothing choices for different weather conditions with this 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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Using Water, Rocks and Soils - 1st Grade Science Worksheets
Discover the importance of rocks, soils, and water as natural resources with a pack of printable 1st Grade Science Worksheets.
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Types of Rocks Worksheet Pack - Comprehension Passages (5th Grade)
Read and learn about sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks with our printable Types of Rocks Worksheet Pack.
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Observing & Comparing Rocks for Kindergarten - Interactive Game
Practice comparing the physical properties of rocks with an interactive Comparing Rocks Game for Kindergarten students.
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Physical Properties of Rocks - Digital Rock Sorting Activity
Use a Digital Rock Sorting Activity to help your kindergarten students learn to observe and describe the properties of rocks.
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What is Made of Rock? Ways People Use Rocks Sorting Activity
Discover ways people use rocks to produce everyday objects with an engaging sorting activity.
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3 Types of Rocks - Science Cloze Reading Worksheets
Use cloze reading passages to increase your students’ understanding of the three rock types - sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.
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Environmental Impact Science Experiments
Use these simple science experiments to teach your students about environmental issues such as oil and water pollution, soil quality and climate change.
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How Soil Is Used by Living Things? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Explore the uses of soil with your students using this simple cut-and-paste worksheet for 1st Grade students.
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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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Seasonal Changes Words and Definitions Display
Display this easy-to-read seasons word set in your classroom as you investigate seasonal changes with your young students.
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What Needs Soil to Grow? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Teach students what needs soil to grow with this cut-and-paste worksheet for Kindergarten students.
- Earth Science Worksheets
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- Earth Science Templates
- Earth Science Games
- Earth Science Word Walls
- Earth Science Projects
- Earth Science for Pre-K
- Earth Science for Kindergarten
- Earth Science for 1st Grade
- Earth Science for 2nd Grade
- Earth Science for 3rd Grade
- Earth Science for 4th Grade
- Earth Science for 5th Grade
- Earth Science for 6th Grade