Geology

According to the most recent data, our Solar System was created from the collapse of a dense cloud of gas and dust about 4.5 billion years ago. Later, a solar nebula formed and started spinning. Due to gravity, planets, moons, comets, and so on formed, giving the shape our Solar System has today.

Throughout our history, we have been discussing the matter with various theories to try to understand our origins. The most accepted in the scientific community is the Big Bang Theory. (For a version for kids, click here).

As common knowledge suggests, the Solar System is composed of planets and their moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. These planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Notable Moons are our Moon, Deimos, Phobos, Europe, etc.

For a list of in-class activities regarding the Solar System, click here

Solar System Class Projects: Click Here

Solar System Model Ideas on Pinterest

Our planet can be divided into four major layers. These are the crust, the mantle, and the inner and outer core. They are essential for the Earth's stability and also our survival. An amazing lesson plan created by Oliver Smith can be found by following the links below.

Layers of the Earth Lesson Plan.

Layers of the Earth Activity

Theory (For Adults)

Earthquakes

Earthquakes (Video for adults)

Plate Tectonics (Maps)

Graham Cracker Plate Tectonics Lab

Plate Tectonics Slide Show

A compendium of Plate Tectonics Activities

Playlist About Minerals (Kids)

Crystal (Lab Activity) [Idea Taken From Audrey's e-Portfolio, one of the examples shown at Earth Sciences by Jamey Cooper]

Minerals (Activities and Ideas)

Advanced Mineral Activity

A Phenomenon related to the superficial discharge of molten magma from the nucleus of the Planet.

• A quick reminder of volcanism, here

• Kid-friendly definition of Volcano, here

• Volcano experiments to try with your students, here

• Volcano activities ideas, here

• Download a poster to learn about volcanism hazards, here

Quick recap on the types of rocks, click here.

Activity covering all types of rocks, click here.

Simple activity about rocks. It requires a webpage subscription, click here.

Rock cycle activities.

• Igneous Rocks

  • Classification

  • Lab sheet

  • Worksheet

  • Edible igneous rock activity

• Metamorphic Rocks

  • Classification

  • Lab/experiment sheet

  • Worksheets page

• Sedimentary Rocks

  • Classification

  • Sedimentary Sandwich Activity

  • Worksheet

Recap of Mass Wasting, click here.

Types of Mass Wasting, click here.

Mass Wasting slide show, click here.

Mini-landslide experiment

Classification worksheet

Desert information for kids, click here.

Lesson plan, click here.

Desert themed activities for kids

Desert themed games and activities for kids

Activity ideas on Pinterest

Information for Kids

Lesson Plan. Note: This plan should be adapted to elementary school kids prior continuing.

Activities:

Nearpod Interactive activity

Who's on First Activity

Rock Candy Lab

Information for Kids

Lesson Plan with Worksheet.

Activities:

Radioactive Dating with Candy

Lesson for Kids

Information for Kids

Short lesson with discussion questions.

Lesson Plan (With activities)

Activities:

8 Fast Water Cycle Resources/Activities.

45 Water Cycle Ideas

Hands on Water Cycle Activities

Game Ideas

Printable Worksheets

Information for Kids

Lesson Plan. Full Unit with activities/worksheets.

Activities:

Ocean-Related Activities, Experiments, and Crafts Ideas

Quiz and Worksheet

Pinterest Ideas

Information for Kids

Coasts for Kids. Video Series

Lesson Plan. Compilation of several Lesson Plans.

Activities:

Beach Erosion Demonstration

Free Games and Activities

Information for Kids

Tides: Slide Show

Lesson Plan: Motions of the Ocean

Activities:

Classroom Activities

Activities/Games

Hands-On Activities (Moon Phases)

PInterest Ideas

Information for Kids

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan #2: Catch a Wave

Activities:

Ocean Waves Activities

Experiments

Ocean Waves in a Bottle

Ocean: Waves for All. Read Outloud Book.

Recapitulation

Lesson Plan. I have adapted it to into my own Word Doc. Easy to follow, and print.

Activities:

Pinterest Ideas

Quiz and Worksheet

Coriolis Effect: Ballon Activity

Slide Show on Ocean Circulation, here. Original Owner: Sarah Juarez.

Ocean Circulation Activity, here. Adapted to a Google Doc, ready to be printed.

Kid-Friendly Information about Climate Change:

• https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-change-meaning/

• https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-cards/

• https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-basics-for-kids/#:~:text=The%20primary%20cause%20of%20climate,the%20planet%2C%20creating%20climate%20change.

Cool Internet Activity Involving Recycling:

• https://www.recycleornot.org/

Videos in the Slide Show