Week of 1/5/26

Science Update:

We will begin Unit 4, Lesson 2: Fast Changes on Earth. Students will learn how natural events, such as volcanoes and earthquakes, can quickly change Earth’s surface.

During the week of January 5th, we will focus on earthquakes. As part of the lesson, students will participate in a hands-on activity using graham crackers to model how earthquakes affect the land and how Earth’s surface can change quickly.

What We’re Doing

How do volcanoes and earthquakes change Earth’s surface? They can quickly change Earth’s surface. By the end of this lesson, your child will

·         make a model to observe how earthquakes can change Earth’s surface

·         make a model to observe how a volcanic eruption can change Earth’s surface

·         make a model to observe how moving water can change Earth’s surface

At-Home Activity

To prepare your child for this lesson, try this short activity:

·         Show your child pictures of land before a flood and after a flood.

·         Discuss the changes your child observes.

Engage your child by asking these questions:

·         What is happening in the pictures?

·         How does a flood change Earth’s surface?

·         What do you think the land will look like once the water goes down?

Science Summary

·         Some Earth events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, happen quickly.

·         The changes caused by events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods occur rapidly.

Vocabulary for this lesson includes earthquake, landslide, and volcano.

Preconception Alert!

If your child has one of these preconceptions about fast changes on Earth, here’s how you can help.

·         Preconception 1: All fast events occur at the same speed.

To address this, explain that some fast events occur in seconds; other fast events occur in minutes. However, they are all fast events. They occur much, much more quickly than slow events.

·         Preconception 2: The changes caused by fast events do not last very long.

To address this, explain that although events such as earthquakes and volcanoes happen quickly, the changes they cause can last for a long time. For example, a volcanic eruption happens quickly, but it takes a long time for lava from a volcano to cool and form new land at the bottom of the volcano.