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 primary classroom!
This collection of Australian science 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 primary 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 Primary School?
When we talk about Earth science (or geology) in primary school, we aren't pulling out reference tables or digging deep into climatology.
On the primary 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.
- Plus Plan
Natural Disasters Match-Up Worksheet
A worksheet to use when introducing the concept of natural disasters.
- Plus Plan
Explanation Text Writing Task – How Does the Water Cycle Work?
A scaffolded writing task for students to complete when learning about the explanation text type.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Mini-Book
Introduce your students to the different slow changes to Earth’s surface with a printable mini-book designed for year 4 and 5 students.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Types of Soil Chart
Remind your students about the four main types of soil with this soil chart for your classroom.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Vocabulary Cards With Definitions
Learn the vocabulary and definitions associated with the water cycle.
- Plus Plan
Weather Vocabulary Cards
Use this set of 12 weather vocabulary cards to explore words that cover terms such as sunny, humid, overcast and foggy.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Sort – Sorting Activity
Use knowledge of the steps in the water cycle to categorise examples with this sorting activity.
- Free Plan
Flood Safety Poster - Design and Create Task
A design and create task for students to demonstrate their understanding of the impact of floods.
- Free Plan
What Needs Soil to Grow? Cut and Paste Worksheet
Teach students what needs soil to grow with this cut-and-paste worksheet for early years students.
- Plus Plan
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!
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Label a Soil Profile – Worksheet
Identify and label different layers with this soil profile worksheet.
- Plus Plan
How Soil Is Created – Teaching Presentation
Learn about how soil is made with this 15-slide teaching presentation.
- Plus Plan
Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
A hands-on experiment to use when investigating the water cycle.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Flipbook
Learn about the steps in the water cycle with a printable flipbook.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Poster Set
Display this set of simple, vibrant water cycle posters when learning about each water cycle step.
- Plus Plan
Climate Zones of the World – Poster Pack
Learn about different climate types with this set of 6 printable posters.
- Plus Plan
Daily Weather Report – Interactive PowerPoint
Encourage your students to become weather reporters with this interactive weather activity.
- Plus Plan
Layers of the Earth
An educational poster showing the structure of the Earth.
- Plus Plan
Grade One Seasons Worksheet
Set this seasons worksheet as a task for your Grade Ones to show their knowledge of the seasons' names and their order.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Doodle Notes
Engage your students with a set of science doodle notes when learning about erosion, weathering and deposition.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Wonderful Weather – Foundation and Year 1 Worksheets
Make weather predictions, create a weather report and write about the weather with this set of printable worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Weather vs. Climate – Teaching Slides and Guided Notes
Teach your students the difference between climate and weather with this set of teaching slides and accompanying guided notes.
- Plus Plan
Cut and Sort - Everyday Examples of the Water Cycle
Explore everyday examples of precipitation, evaporation, and condensation with this cut and paste activity.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Crossword Puzzle
Review water cycle vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
- Free Plan
Weather Words – Worksheet Pack
A set of worksheets to use when teaching weather vocabulary to your students.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Mini-Book (In Depth)
Use this 8-page mini-book when learning about the water cycle.
- Plus Plan
Seasons and Months Posters
Use these four months and the seasons posters to help your students to learn the seasons and their corresponding months.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Earth Science Worksheets
- Earth Science Posters
- Earth Science Teaching Presentations
- Earth Science Games
- Earth Science Templates
- Earth Science for Foundation Year
- Earth Science for Year 1
- Earth Science for Year 2
- Earth Science for Year 3
- Earth Science for Year 4
- Earth Science for Year 5
- Earth Science for Year 6