Earth
Background Information & Activities

A solar system is made up of a star and all the bodies that orbit it. Our solar system consists of the Sun and all the planets, moons, and other bodies that orbit it. It is important for your children to understand that the Sun is our closest star but that there are other stars and planetary systems in the universe. Earth is the third planet from the Sun and, thus far, it is the only planet that scientists know can sustain life as we know it.

The Sun’s gravitational force is strong enough to pull bodies near it. As a result, planets and other bodies in our solar system orbit, or go around, the Sun. It takes about 365 days, or one year, for Earth to orbit the Sun. Since the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is a little more than 365 days, leap years with 366 calendar days were established. Earth’s gravity attracts one moon (other planets, such as Jupiter, have more moons) which orbits the Earth about once per month.

Your children should understand that there are different biomes that exist on our planet, including deserts, mountainous areas, grasslands, tundra, forests, and freshwater and saltwater environments. Water covers about 70% of our planet, which is why people call it the Blue Planet. Earth sustains a startling diversity of life and different plants and animals live in different environments. Many living things call Earth home and your children should understand that they should respect and protect our natural resources. Over 6 billion people live on Earth and the population grows everyday. Help your children to understand that people put an enormous strain on Earth’s natural resources and create environmental problems that can harm other living things. Recycling, reducing waste, and reusing items are all ways your children can be active participants in protecting their environment. Children should understand that Earth is our only home and it is our responsibility to take care of it and secure its future.

Earth Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Earth Family Activities – Click Here!

Earth Teacher Activities

Creative Writing Aliens

Is there life on other planets? Hold a discussion with your students and invite volunteers to share their opinions. Then have students create their own aliens. Students should write a description of their alien and describe the planet they are from. Then have students draw a picture or make a model of their alien. Students can use clay or reuse household objects to create their models. Invite students to share their aliens and display them in the classroom.

Earth in Motion

Many students have difficulties visualizing how the moon orbits the Earth and how the Earth orbits the Sun. Have small groups create models of the moon, Earth, and Sun out of balls, clay, foil, or paper. Then have the groups model the Moon’s orbit around Earth and the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. If possible, have the groups film their models using video cameras. Students can also use digital cameras to do stop-motion animations or print pictures to make flipbooks.

Museum Trip

If possible, take a trip to an air and space museum or a natural history museum to learn about the Earth. Many museums have specialists who can talk about the Earth’s history and outer space with your students. You may wish to brainstorm questions together as a class in preparation to ask the experts.

Earth Family Activities

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

Together with your child, find ways to reduce, recycle, and reuse in your home. You can reduce pollution by walking, riding bikes, skating, or using public transportation instead of driving. Review specific items in your home that can be recycled, such as cans, milk cartons, toilet paper tubes, paper, and shampoo bottles. Encourage your child to find ways to reuse items in your home, such as bottles, bags, and jars.

Core, Mantle, and Crust

Have your child make a model of Earth using food. Remind your child that the layers should be relative sizes, so the mantle should be the largest layer. You can start with a peanut at the core (or something densely packed) and cover it with peanut butter to model the mantle. Then you can roll the peanut butter ball in chocolate chips or cookie crumbs to show the thin crust. Freeze and cut into the model to show all the different layers.