This week we continued learning about earth and the environment. Last week we focused on air, water and clouds. This week we learned about the water cycle, and water/soil.
On Monday, we learned about the water cycle. First, we watched a Brainpop video. Then we learned a water cycle song to help us remember what evaporation, condensation and precipitation mean. After we drew a water cycle and labeled it.
On Tuesday, we reviewed the water cycle and matched definitions to words (evaporation, condensation and precipitation).
On Wednesday, we learned about water and soil. We reviewed the needs of plants (light, air, water and soil). Then we discussed different types of soil (clay, sand and humus). After, we did an experiment! What soil would be best for plants? Each group got a cup of clay, sand, and humus. They mixed water into each cup and observed the results. We saw that the humus absorbed all the water, the sand absorbed some water but most of the sand sunk to the bottom, and the clay did not absorb very much water. However the clay did feel slimy and was easier to mold. We came to the conclusion that most plants in Saskatchewan would grow best in humus/dirt as it can easily absorb water to get to the roots of a plant. After, we discussed what would happen if the world ran out of water/soil? (There would be no plants). If there are no plants, what would happen to animals and humans? (We would not be able to live). We learned that we need to take care of our earth as damage to one thing will cause damage to something else (chain reaction).
On Thursday we learned about erosion. Earth is always changing and water can change the surface of the earth. To help the students understand this we first watched a Brainpop video on slow/fast land changes. Then we did an experiment. First, we put damp soil in a bin and made "mountains". Then, we took a small amount of water and poured it throughout the "mountains". We saw that the water moved the "mountains" to a lower place. After, we made a tall "mountain" and poured a stream down it. We saw that it made a path, sending the dirt down to the foot of the "mountain". A path/cave was made in the mountain! Throughout this experiment we saw that moving water changes land and soil...this is called erosion. Waves change the shore of a lake or the ocean, and rivers/steams create valleys. Sometimes it happens slowly over many years and sometimes a very heavy rain will cause erosion as it runs off roads or other land forms.
*Note*
If you are interested in using any of these handouts you can purchase them on TPT.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Air-and-Water-in-the-Environment-A-Primary-Science-Unit-in-a-Paper-Bag-685782
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