What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade Kindergarten - 2
Gain an introduction to the many branches of the field of Earth science through hands on experiments, creative art projects, discussion, and games. Build volcanoes while learning about the rock cycle, create fossils while learning about paleontology, grow crystal snowflakes, test minerals, take a closer look at the water cycle, rainbows, landforms, and more! Each week will be independent of each other, and learners may join at any time. Weekly themes for 2024 are as follows: October 23: Crazy About Crystals October 30: Mineralogy November 6: Volcanoes and the Rock Cycle November 13: The Types of Fossils November 20: Paleontology & Dinosaur Fossils December 4: The Water Cycle December 11: Clouds and Rainbows December 18: Astronomy The following Nature Explorers animals may occasionally make live appearances: Scaly: the Corn Snake Slimy: the Tiger Salamander Lizzie: The Leopard Gecko Classes may run up to five minutes over the scheduled time depending on learner discussion and questions.
Learning Goals
Learn interesting facts and concepts about the fields of geology, volcanology, meteorology, mineralogy, or astronomy depending on weeks joined!
Other Details
Supply List
NOTE: All projects are optional and are not required. Please check the classroom posts for more detailed information. October 23: CRAZY ABOUT CRYSTALS Crystal Shapes Worksheet Materials: ~printed pdf. "Crystal Shape Worksheet" ~scissors ~glue-stick ~coloring utensils October 30: MINERALOGY Rock and Mineral Testing Materials: ~rocks and or minerals to test ~magnifying glass ~penny or other copper coin ~nail (alternative: paper clip) ~magnet (the stronger, the better) ~pipette (alternative: syringe, eye dropper, or small teaspoon) ~small amount of white vinegar (a few drops for each rock or mineral tested) ~towel or plate to put under the rocks during the vinegar test ~unglazed tile (The backside of a piece of tile works well. Alternative ideas include: the bottom of a terra cotta flower pot, a brick, a piece of concrete, a flat rock, the backside of a tile coaster that does not have corkboard on it). November 6: Volcanoes and the Rock Cycle VOLCANOLOGY World Volcanoes Bingo Materials: ~printable Bingo card (attached) ~coins or small stones to use as markers Alternative: generate an online fillable card on a different device or window LAVA Build a Volcano (Please complete before class for in-class eruptions) Materials: ~Empty plastic water bottle, yogurt cup, small jar, etc. ~3 tablespoons baking soda ~A few drops of dish soap ~A few drops of red food coloring or red paint ~1/2 cup white vinegar ~Construction paper ~Scissors ~Stapler ~Tray, baking dish, or dish tub to set the volcano in. Optional: ~small pitcher ~funnel ~safety goggles ~dinosaurs ~art supplies to decorate the volcano, such as: red and orange yarn, streamers, foam, puffballs, etc Optional Extension: Make a more permanent volcano using clay, paper mache, plaster of paris, or dirt or sand packed around a jar. THE ROCK CYCLE Rock Collection Box Materials: ~printed rock box labels (attached) ~recycled materials such as a shoe box or egg carton, and cereal or cracker boxes ~glue ~scissors Optional: decorate with collages from magazines, stickers, markers, or paint November 13: The Types of Fossils FOSSILS Make Mold and Trace Fossils Materials: ~Air dry clay, Play-Doh, sculpt it, modeling clay, or make your own sand or salt dough ~Small plastic dinosaurs or animals Optional addition: Plaster of Paris or white glue November 20: Paleontology & Dinosaur Fossils Poster or Book Materials: ~large construction paper (alternative: poster board, recycled cardboard, eg: cereal box) ~coloring utensils ~scissors ~glue-stick ~printed pdf.s Optional: stapler December 4: THE WATER CYCLE Water Cycle Wheel Materials: ~attached pdf. "Water Cycle Worksheet" ~coloring utensils ~scissors ~glue stick Optional for making the wheel: ~2 paper plates ~brad (alternative: paper clip, pipe cleaner) ~awl or nail to punch a small hole through the plates December 11: CLOUDS Cloud Mobile ~cotton balls ~printed pdf. “Cloud Mobile” ~scissors ~white glue ~paintbrush ~yarn or string ~cardstock ~black or gray paint ~yellow pipe-cleaner or yarn December 11: RAINBOWS Rainbow Craft ~printed pdf. ~watercolors, markers, crayons or pencils in the following colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (dark blue), violet (purple) ~scissors Optional: hole punch, yarn, cotton balls, glue, glitter, December 18: ASTRONOMY Outer Space Art ~black paper ~white crayon Additional Projects THE EARTH SCIENCE TREE Earth Science Tree Worksheet Materials: ~coloring utensils (eg: markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.) ~scissors ~glue stick ~printable pdf (attached) Optional: construction paper, hole punch, yarn THE SHAPES OF LANDFORMS Landform Diorama Materials: ~shoe box or piece of cardboard ~paint ~recycled items such as cereal boxes or egg cartons ~miscellaneous art supplies to create chosen landform, such as: play-doh, construction paper, small rocks, cotton balls, stickers, plastic animals, etc.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
- Google Slides
- Bingo Baker
- You Tube
Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 369 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-8
5-8 learners per class