In fifth grade, we teach erosion and weathering.  After learning vocabulary, we work on our experiment.  We fill baking pans with soil, rocks, leaves, and other objects, then we pour water and watch how it weathers and erodes the soil.  We then see real life objects that have been weathered: rocks, seashells, etc.

T. Britt, EC Teacher

Statesville, NC

How does land slowly change over time? What better way to understand this concept than with building a volcano? The only difference vs your traditional "creating a volcano" experiment is the way the volcano erupts. To do this, the children will use flour and food coloring in addition to the vinegar and baking soda solution. This gives the lava a great color and also helps it to harden. The children will let the lave set and repeat this process two more times with a different color. When the final eruption takes place, the children can work with their groups to discuss and make conclusions on how land changes slowly over time. The kids love this hands on activity and they learn a very complicated concept in the process.

^{Submitted by:
A. Sullivan
3rd Grade Teacher, PA}

Here’s an idea…
Know your numbers!  Recycling plastic is all about the number on the bottom of the bottle.  These recycle numbers indicate the type of plastic used and how easily the item can be recycled.  Numbers  1 and 2 are most widely accepted for recycling purposes.  Numbers 3 through 6 have limited recycling abilities and are not accepted at some recycling centers.  Number 7 is the least recyclable material and is not accepted at most centers.

Here’s an idea…
Turn your students into rock detectives!  Have them select and investigate a rock sample to discover its history and composition.  Is it an igneous rock?  Metamorphic?  Sedimentary?  What clues can they find just by examining their sample?  Are there hidden clues in the rock?  What tests can they perform to discover the minerals that make it up? If their rock could tell its story, what would it reveal about where it has been and what it changes it has experienced?