Introduction
This Week, we’re exploring the amazing ways the Earth changes—and how humans play a big part in those changes! From building cities and roads to farming and mining, people shape the land, air, and water around us every day. Sometimes our actions help the environment, and sometimes they cause problems we need to fix.
Through hands-on investigations, engaging discussions, and real-world examples, students will discover how humans can change the Earth’s surface—and how we can make choices to care for our planet. Get ready to dig in, explore, and become Earth protectors as we learn about how humans change the world around us!
Task
Learning Target
Today I will learn how people change Earth’s surface.
So that I can describe how people change the surface of the Earth.
I will know that I have it when I have completed my assessment with 80% or higher.
Lesson Warm Up
Making a prediction.
Students will tear a piece of paper into small pieces, then blow on them. They will discuss with their partner what happened to the pieces. Their partner will then use their hands to make a wall in front of the pieces of paper. The student will blow again. The groups will write about what happened this time.
Let's watch this :
Assessment
Students will answer assessment questions on page 142 and turn in their work.
Quest Activity - Students will examine a picture of a river featuring problems such as pollution, debris, and erosion. They will then read more about each problem and choose a solution. At the end of the quest, the students will write about how they solved the problem in the river and describe how the river flows with the problems solved.
Process
Today, we’re going to learn about something that people do every single day—changing the Earth!
Humans make changes to the Earth when we build, grow, dig, and use the things around us. Some of these changes help us live better, but some can hurt our planet if we’re not careful.
Question: What Does It Mean to Change the Earth?
It means we do something that makes the land, water, or air different.
Examples of changes people make:
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Building houses, schools, and roads
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Cutting down trees to make space for farms or towns
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Digging in the ground to find rocks, minerals, or oil
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Planting trees or cleaning up trash to help the Earth
Question: Are All Changes Bad?
No! Some changes help people and animals.
But some changes can cause problems, like pollution or too much trash.
Let’s Think!
Question: Can you name a way people change the Earth where you live? Is that change helpful or harmful?
Lesson
Slideshow for teacher
Evaluation
Science Journal
Step 1:
On the first page, list and define your vocabulary words for this chapter.
You might include words like:
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Erosion – when wind or water wears away rock and soil
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Pollution – harmful materials that dirty the air, water, or land
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Dike-A long wall built to hold back water.
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Levee- A short wall built along a river to hold back rising water.
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Windbreak- A row of objects that blocks the wind.
Step 2:
On the next page, respond to this prompt in complete sentences:
People change the Earth when they…
I can help take care of the Earth by…
Think about ways humans build, plant, dig, or clean up, and how those actions can help or harm the planet. Be sure to give at least one example of something you can do to make a positive change!
Conclusion
Alright Class!
Today, we learned about how people change the Earth!
You discovered that humans can change the land, water, and air when we build, farm, dig, or plant. Some of these changes help us—like growing food or building homes—but some can hurt the Earth, like pollution or cutting down too many trees.
Now we can start looking for ways people change the Earth all around us—when you’re driving through town, playing outside, or even walking to school!
Remember, scientists like you are always observing, asking questions, and finding ways to help the planet.
Credits
2-ESS1-1 Use information from several sources to provide
evidence that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly.
2-ESS2-1Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or
prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
Teacher Page
Hello Scientists!
In Second Grade Science, we’ll be exploring exciting topics that help us understand the world around us. One of our main focuses will be on How People Change the Earth — and how we can take care of our planet!
We’ll investigate how humans shape the land, water, and air through building, farming, and using natural resources—and how we can make choices that help keep Earth healthy.
We Will Learn:
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How people change the Earth’s surface by building, digging, and planting
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What natural resources are and why they’re important
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The difference between helpful and harmful changes people make to the environment
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Ways we can protect and care for the Earth through conservation and recycling
At Home You Can:
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Look around your neighborhood for ways people have changed the land
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Talk about ways your family helps the Earth—like recycling, planting trees, or turning off lights to save energy
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Share ideas about how we can keep our planet clean and safe for everyone