SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
WEEK 7 - spheres of the earth
This unit was developed with the Next Generation Science Standards in mind and includes Social Emotional Learning competencies. It provides opportunities for students to experiment and learn about Earth’s interconnectivity and complexities, including focus on four of Earth’s spheres – atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
These activities are listed in their recommended order which will help to deepen student understanding by building on concepts from activity to activity. However, they were also designed to provide students with enough information that they will make sense on their own.
Download Spheres of the Earth Teacher’s Guide with suggestions for differentiation of lessons and additional notes. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.
Introduction to the Earth’s Spheres
The View From Above
Students will use Google Earth to make observations about the Earth from above.
Download The View From Above Activity Page
Spanish The View From Above Activity Page
Interconnectivity of Earth's Systems
Students are encouraged to explore and analyze which elements might belong to each of the Earth's spheres: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
Download Interconnectivity of Earth's Systems Activity Page
Spanish Interconnectivity of Earth's Systems Activity Page
Earth's Spheres Coloring Page
Students will learn the four spheres of the Earth and use a coloring page to identify interactions between the different spheres.
Download Earth’s Spheres Coloring Activity Page
Spanish Earth’s Spheres Coloring Activity Page
Earth’s Atmosphere
Climate and Weather
Learn about weather patterns and record their daily observations of the temperature, cloudiness, and precipitation for one week (version for students Kindergarten-through-second grade. For students in third-through-fifth grade, they will learn about the difference between climate and weather through recording observations and making predictions based on the data they collect.
Download Climate and Weather, K-2nd Grade, Activity Page
Spanish Climate and Weather, K-2nd Grade, Activity Page
Download Climate and Weather, 3rd-5th Grade, Activity Page
Answer key:
Climate and Weather, 3rd-5th Grade Answer Key
Modeling Clouds and Wind
Students will learn about clouds and rain shadows, create their own clouds in jars, and witness interactions between wind, water, and landforms (such as mountains).
Download Modeling Clouds and Wind Activity Page
Spanish Modeling Clouds and Wind Activity Page
Air Pollution
See how different types of air pollution and air quality impact the earth over time. Students will consider ways to reduce their own air pollution contributions.
Download Air Pollution Activity Page
Spanish Air Pollution Activity Page
Earth’s Biosphere
Visit to the Blue Planet
Students will observe and study a designated nature area near them through the lens of an outer space visitor. Through a guided worksheet, students count species, nature journal and answer questions to practice the scientific skill of observation.
Download Visit to the Blue Planet Activity Page
Spanish Visit to the Blue Planet Activity Page
Forest Ecosystem Diorama
Create a diorama to learn about forest ecosystems, food webs and sphere interactions.
Download Forest Ecosystem Diorama Activity Page
Spanish Forest Ecosystem Diorama Activity Page
Food Waste
Students will learn about food waste and perform a food waste audit to reduce the amounts of food waste produced within their households.
Download Food Waste Activity Page
Spanish Food Waste Activity Page
Don't Touch My Pine Nuts
Learn how organisms compete for resources within an ecosystem, and play a game to demonstrate the impact this competition has on the organisms and their environments.
Download Don’t Touch My Pine Nuts Activity Page
Spanish Don’t Touch My Pine Nuts Activity Page
Earth’s Geosphere
Rock Cycle Kitchen Activity
Model how rock types form using chocolate and cereal.
Download Rock Cycle Kitchen Activity Page
Spanish Rock Cycle Kitchen Activity Page
Answer key:
Rock Cycle Kitchen Answer Key
What's Beneath Our Feet
Students will learn about the four layers of the earth and apply their knowledge to build a model of the earth.
Download What’s Beneath Our Feet Activity Page
Spanish What’s Beneath Our Feet Activity Page
Grow Your Own Crystal
By growing your own crystals, student will learn about rocks, crystals and minerals.
Download Grow Your Own Crystal Part One
Spanish Grow Your Own Crystal Activity Part One
Download Grow Your Own Crystal Part Two
Answer key:
Grow Your Own Crystal Answer Key
How Climate Change Affects Earth's Surface
Study climate, climate change, and its impacts. Students will use several online resources to view and analyze the impacts of global warming. Students will consider ways in which human behavior impact the pace of current global warming trends.
Download How Climate Change Affects Earth's Surface Activity Page
Spanish How Climate Change Affects Earth's Surface Activity Page
Earth’s Hydrosphere
The Hydrosphere and Water Cycle
Examine how the water cycle and the four spheres of the Earth. Students will play a game to help solidify their knowledge.
Download The Hydrosphere and Water Cycle Activity Page
Spanish Hydrosphere and Water Cycle Activity Page
Watercolor and Wax
In this 1:05-minute video, see how water and hydrophobic materials interact. Analyze how these two materials interact with one another through a watercolor and wax activity. In the second video, 1:43 minutes, students can further their experience by watercolor painting using salt instead of wax.
Download Watercolor and Wax Activity Guide
Spanish Watercolor and Wax Activity Guide
Where Is Earth's Water
Learn about different types of water and where they come from. Students will participate in a science activity that helps them to visualize percentages of our Earth's different water sources. Students will consider the ways in which they use water, and how to conserve it.
Download Where is Earth’s Water Activity Page
Spanish Where is Earth’s Water Activity Page
Answer key:
Water Cycle Opera
In this 5:22 video, students can join in a fun, sing-a-long about the water cycle.