Kindergarten earth science should be fun and exciting, filled with edible activities, hands-on projects, and interesting books rather than boring worksheets (although they have their place too). Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.
Also, look at Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.
Earth science is all aspects of the planet from its deep inner core to the outer layers of the atmosphere.
The different areas of earth science studies that are usually covered in early elementary years are – geology (rocks and minerals), paleontology (dinosaurs and fossils), meteorology (atmosphere and the weather), and oceanography.
I have a tasty edible earth science tectonic plate activity as well as some great information on the motion of tectonic plates, and 8 more hands-on earth science ideas to try.
Books about Earth Science for Kids
First, look at some of these books to add to your earth science topic.
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.
For all earth science related my favorite resource is Nature Anatomy, it contains some information on mountains, volcanoes, and to supplement a study on tectonic plates.
But covers so much more like oceans, nature, animals, and so much more.
Types of Tectonic Motion
Tectonic plates are pieces of Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle, together they are referred to as the lithosphere.
The plates are around 62 miles thick and consist of two principal types of material: oceanic crust and continental crust.
There are 7 major tectonic plates-Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, Antarctic, Indo-Australian, and the South American Plate.
There are also 8 additional smaller minor plates and a very long list of tertiary plates.
Tectonic plates are like loose puzzle pieces that rest on the hot, molten rock of Earth’s mantle and fit snugly against each other.
The heat from radioactive processes within the planet’s interior causes these plates to move, sometimes toward, sometimes away from each other, and even slide over top of each other.
- Divergent Plate Boundary- This is when plates move away from each other. Along these types of boundaries earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock) rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, which solidifies and creates new oceanic crust.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example.
- Transform Plate Boundary – A transform fault or transform boundary, is when two plates move along each other.The motion is predominantly horizontal.
Example: San Andreas fault in California.
- Convergent Plate Boundary- This action is when two plates collide together. The colliding plates can cause the edges of one or both plates to buckle up into mountain ranges or one of the plates may bend downward into a deep seafloor trench.
Example: The Pacific Ring of Fire
I wanted to also demonstrate a Subduction Zone in our experiment, which is what happens in a convergent plate boundary when one plate sinks into the mantle underneath the other plate.
Moreover, look at more earth science activities.
More Earth Science Activities
- Another great edible activity is How to Make an Edible Earth Project in a Cup With Kids to demonstrate each layer.
- Here is a huge list of 40 Awesome Earth Science Movies for Kindergarten to cover a wide variety of topics.
- 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
- Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
- Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
- Edible Rock Cycle Fudge and Hands-on Rock Activities
- Dinosaur Unit Study With Kids Who Love Dinosaurs
- Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids
Finally, look at how to make an edible kindergarten earth science tectonic plate activity.
How To Make An Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity
You will need:
- Vanilla pudding
- Graham crackers
- Food coloring
- Paper plates
- Pen
First, write each of the types of tectonic activity on the edge of your paper plates-transform, convergent, subduction zone, and divergent.
Add a little food coloring to your pudding to give it the look of magma.
Spread colored pudding around on the plates, two individual cups were enough spread over all 4 of my plates.
Lay two graham cracker halves on the center of each plate and demonstrate a divergent plate boundary, this is one in which plates move away from one another.
To do this press your graham crackers into the pudding and away from one another so the “magma” oozes up between them.
Grab the plate for the transform plate boundary and slide the two halves against each other in opposite directions, this motion makes them touch but doesn’t really do any damage or create much change.
Now demonstrate a convergent plate boundary by pressing them towards each other with one sliding over top of the other.
For the final demonstration dip half of your two graham cracker pieces in water for a few seconds to soften them up.
Place them in the center of the plate and move them towards one another to create folds, or mountains in the convergent plate boundary to show how they are formed.
When your experiment is over it is time to sample the delicious tectonic plates and magma.
