I have some fun facts about Earth Day and we’re doing a simply fizzy Earth Day experiment you can add to your teaching day. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.
Earth Day is a special day to appreciate our planet and learn how to take better care of it.
Every time you recycle, save water, or plant something green, you’re helping protect Earth. For example, when you add plants, they help prevent erosion or when you plant flowers they help bees pollinate.
Too, Earth Day is a fun excuse to be outside normally in spring like weather to appreciate nature.
Additionally, it gives us chance to introduce children to topics like climate, recycling, conservation and how we’re all affected by global issues.
For instance, doing simple activities together connects kids to others like them who live on the other side of the world. Children understand that all humans need to be caretakers of the Earth.
BOOKS ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE
Next, add some of these books about earth science to your reading day.
9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics
Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.
The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.
Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.
Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.
This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens
Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.
A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.
A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.
For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?
A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.
Also, I have a few more activities to help you plan a fun Earth day study.
HANDS-ON EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES
- Easy Kids Earth Day Activity & More Water Density Experiments
- 8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot
- How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
- How to Make a Civil War Style Upcycled Necklace | 7 Little Women Book Facts
- Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day
- Cookie Sheet Activities Make Earth Day Cookies & Fascinating Earth Facts
Next, look at these 5 fun facts about Earth Day.
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT EARTH DAY
- Earth is the only known planet with life.
- A single tree can absorb about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
- The Amazon Rainforest produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen.
- Earth Day was designed as a “teach-in,” where students learned about environmental problems.
- Earth Day is celebrated worldwide.
Finally, look at how to do this fun Earth Day fizzy science experiment.
FIZZY EARTH DAY EXPERIMENT
First, look at this list of supplies.
- Baking soda
- Water
- White vinegar
- Green food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- 2 small bowls
- Spoon
- Round tray
- Dropper, pipette, or small spoon
First, make the baking soda paste.
In a bowl, mix baking soda with a small amount of water. Add water slowly and stir until it forms a thick paste. It should feel like soft frosting, not runny.
Then, divide the paste.
Split the baking soda mixture evenly into two bowls.
Add the colors.
- Add green food coloring to one bowl and mix well.
- Add blue food coloring to the second bowl and stir until evenly tinted.
Now you have your “land” and “ocean.”
Also, create the Earth.
Spread the blue paste into a round tray to form a circle. This will be your ocean base.
Next, place sections of the green paste on top to resemble continents.
Finally, make a fizzy reaction.
Give your child a dropper or spoon filled with vinegar. Slowly drip vinegar onto the colored baking soda Earth.
The vinegar reacts with the baking soda and creates bubbles and fizzing foam. The Earth will start to bubble and erupt in tiny colorful bursts.
Encourage them to:
- Add vinegar slowly and observe
- Predict what will happen next
- Notice how the colors blend
- Listen to the fizzing sound
Benefits:
- Opens the door to conversations about caring for the Earth, oceans, and land
- Fine motor skills when using droppers
- Color recognition
- Early science concepts
- Cause and effect understanding
- Sensory exploration
