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.
- 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 Kindergarten students.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Color By Code Worksheet
Guide your students to differentiate between examples of weathering, erosion and deposition with this color-by-number science worksheet.
- Free Plan
Soil Vocabulary Word Search
Immerse your students in the subject-specific vocabulary related to soil with this word search perfect for elementary students.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition – Teaching Slides
Learn about the different types of weathering, effects of erosion, results of deposition and more with this set of teaching slides.
- Free Plan
Classroom Practices to Promote a Green Future - A Teacher's Guide
Create a more sustainably-friendly classroom with this 18-page teacher's guide.
- Plus Plan
Man-Made vs Natural Materials Worksheet
Move around the classroom and identify different examples of manmade and natural materials with a gallery walk worksheet.
- Free Plan
Earth Day Word Search - Printable
Identify environmental terms with this Earth Day word search.
- Free Plan
Natural Disasters – Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of free word wall cards that focus on natural disasters.
- Plus Plan
Natural Disasters – Instructional Slide Deck
Investigate rapid changes to Earth's surface and other natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides with this instructional slide deck.
- Plus Plan
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources – Vocabulary Mini Book
Reinforce science vocabulary by creating a booklet to reference when studying renewable and nonrenewable resources.
- Free 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
Spring Writing Prompts for Beginning Writers
Celebrate a new season with Spring writing worksheets for primary grades.
- Plus Plan
Natural Disasters – Poster Pack
Display information about different types of natural disasters with this poster pack.
- Plus Plan
Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources – Instructional Slide Deck
Investigate the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as the benefits and disadvantages of each with this instructional slide deck.
- Free Plan
Weather Tools – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Match weather tools with their corresponding picture and description with this cut and paste worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Informative Texts Writing Task - Weather
A fact file and a scaffolding template that can be used to write an informative text about weather.
- Free Plan
The Recycling Process Poster
Show your students the process materials go through when they are recycled with printable recycling posters.
- Plus Plan
My Ecological Footprint - Worksheet
A worksheet for students to evaluate their family's ecological footprint and compare it with the class.
- Plus Plan
Tornado in a Jar Worksheet
A science activity that demonstrates some properties and effects of motion.
- Free Plan
Water Conservation Foldable
Display different ways to save water with this water conservation foldable.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of science vocabulary posters in your classroom when teaching about weathering, erosion and deposition.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Matching Game
Challenge your students to identify different slow changes to Earth’s surface with this matching game designed for 4th and 5th-grade students.
- 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
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 4th and 5th-grade students.
- Plus Plan
The Importance of Soil Posters
Show your students how plants, animals and humans need soil to survive with this set of three informative classroom posters to accompany your science lessons.
- Plus Plan
Four Seasons Tree Activity
Use this template with your students to create a visual display of the different seasons.
- Free Plan
Water Sources Cut and Paste Sorting Worksheet
Explore the different water sources using this cut and paste worksheet pack.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition – Sorting Activity
Categorize examples of deposition, weathering, and erosion with this 24-card sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Water Cycle Cube Project
Learn about the water cycle with this fun cube activity project and template.
- Plus Plan
Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition – Word Search
Strengthen your students' understanding of weathering, erosion, and deposition terms with a vocabulary word search.
- Plus Plan
The Water Cycle - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sequence the steps of the water cycle with a cut and paste worksheet.
- Earth Science Worksheets
- Earth Science Posters
- Earth Science Templates
- Earth Science Games
- Earth Science Word Walls
- 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