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.