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Exploring Earth’s Changing Surface – Earth is our amazing planet – Earth’s surface changes over time – Examples: Mountains forming or rivers carving canyons – Changes can be fast or slow – Fast: Earthquakes or volcanoes, Slow: Erosion or weathering – Let’s share what we know about Earth! | This slide is designed to introduce first graders to the concept of Earth’s dynamic surface. Begin by acknowledging Earth as our home and then explain that just like many things, Earth’s surface doesn’t stay the same – it changes! Some changes happen quickly, like during an earthquake, while others take a long time, such as a river creating a canyon. Encourage the children to think about and share any observations they have made about the Earth, such as noticing different landforms or the effects of weather. This will help them connect to the topic personally and understand that the ground beneath their feet is part of a larger, ever-changing system.

Exploring Earth’s Surface – Earth’s surface: the ground we walk on – It has mountains, valleys, and plains – Let’s list parts of Earth’s surface – Think of places like parks, hills, or beaches you’ve visited – Discuss changes we’ve noticed – Have you seen a new hill, or maybe erosion at the beach? | This slide introduces students to the concept of Earth’s surface, which includes all the features we can see and walk on, like mountains, valleys, and plains. Encourage the children to think about the different parts of Earth’s surface they have encountered in their own experiences, such as local parks, nearby hills, or family trips to the beach. Prompt them to consider any changes they might have observed, like construction that reshaped the land or natural events like erosion. This will help them understand that Earth’s surface is dynamic and constantly changing. Use this discussion to set the stage for learning how these changes occur and why they’re important.

Changes to Earth’s Surface – Earth changes can be slow or fast – Seed to tree is a slow change – Like a tiny seed becomes a big tree over years – Discuss other slow changes – Examples: mountains forming, rocks wearing down – Understanding Earth’s transformations | This slide introduces the concept that Earth’s surface doesn’t stay the same it changes. Some changes happen very slowly, like a seed growing into a tree, which can take many years. Other changes also happen slowly, such as mountains gradually forming or rocks wearing down over time due to weather. Encourage the students to think of and discuss other slow changes they may have observed or can imagine. This discussion helps them understand the concept of geological time and the slow but constant transformation of our planet’s surface.

Quick Changes to Earth’s Surface – Volcanoes erupting quickly – Like a soda pop fizzing over! – Fast changes are exciting – List quick Earth changes – Landslides, earthquakes, floods – Understand impact on Earth – These changes shape our planet | This slide aims to introduce students to the concept of rapid geological changes that can occur on Earth’s surface. Start by explaining that some changes to the Earth happen very quickly and can have a big impact, similar to a volcano erupting. Emphasize the excitement in learning about these natural events. Encourage students to think of and list other quick changes they might know, such as landslides, earthquakes, or floods. Discuss how these events can change the landscape of the Earth. Use simple and relatable analogies, like comparing a volcano eruption to a soda can fizzing over, to help first graders grasp the concept. The goal is to spark curiosity and a desire to learn more about Earth’s dynamic nature.

Evidence of Earth’s Changes – What is evidence of change? – Evidence shows us that something different happened. – Canyons: Rivers carving Earth – Like a big ditch made by river water over a long time. – Spotting changes around us Look for things that aren’t the same as before in your neighborhood. – Discussing local changes | This slide aims to introduce first graders to the concept of evidence as it relates to changes in the Earth’s surface. Start by explaining what evidence means in simple terms, such as clues that show us something has changed. Use the example of a canyon formed by a river to illustrate a large-scale change. Encourage students to observe their surroundings for smaller-scale changes, like new construction or erosion at a local park. Facilitate a discussion where students can share observations of changes they’ve noticed in their own environment, fostering their curiosity and understanding of the Earth’s dynamic nature.

Our Earth is Always Changing – Earth’s surface changes size – Small change: waves & sandcastles – Waves can wash away sandcastles, showing how water shapes land – Draw a change you’ve seen – Think of a time you saw a change outside, like a broken branch or a new path – Share your picture with the class | This slide introduces the concept that Earth’s surface is constantly changing, both in minor and significant ways. Start by explaining that changes can happen over a long time or quickly, and they can be large or small. Use the example of waves washing away a sandcastle to illustrate a small, fast change that’s easy for first graders to understand. Encourage the students to draw a picture of any change they have observed in their environment, such as a new path after rain or a fallen tree branch. This activity will help them recognize that Earth’s surface is dynamic. After drawing, invite the children to share their pictures and describe the change they’ve depicted, fostering a discussion on the various ways Earth changes.

Class Activity: Change Detectives – Become a Change Detective! – Observe Earth’s surface outside – Look for cracks in the soil, new plant growth, or changes in land – Use eyes and ears to find changes – Listen for sounds of water or animals that indicate change – Look but don’t touch anything | This activity is designed to engage students with their environment by observing natural changes. As Change Detectives, students will learn to notice details about the Earth’s surface that may indicate change, such as erosion, plant growth, or seasonal variations. Provide guidance on safety and respect for nature, ensuring they only observe without disturbing the environment. Possible activities include drawing pictures of observed changes, discussing how these changes might have occurred, or predicting what might happen next in these areas. This hands-on experience will help solidify their understanding of Earth’s dynamic surface.

Conclusion: Earth’s Changing Surface – Recap of Earth’s surface changes – We learned about erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes. – Impact of changes on our world – These changes shape landscapes and can affect weather. – Praise for young Earth Explorers | As we wrap up today’s lesson, we’ll revisit the key discoveries made by our young ‘Change Detectives.’ It’s important to summarize the types of changes to Earth’s surface that we’ve explored, such as erosion, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Discuss how these changes can have both positive and negative effects on our environment and daily lives. For example, erosion can create beautiful landscapes but also lead to loss of land. Earthquakes and volcanoes can change maps, create new landforms, and affect climate. Conclude with positive reinforcement, celebrating the students’ efforts and curiosity as Earth Explorers. Encourage them to observe the world around them and to continue asking questions about how our planet is constantly changing.