Unit 7 in up next in the Amplify Knowledge series: History of the Earth. Volcanoes, dinosaurs, rocks, minerals - this unit has all the things first graders want to learn more about.
Gallery
This Knowledge gallery required a bit more creativity.
I use yarn to connect each layer of the Earth with its label. It really helps my students remember the correct order for the layers.
History of the Earth Student Book
This year they created their own student book throughout the unit.
This really helps them retain all of the new information they learn throughout the unit.
A lot of my students said it was their favorite book of the year.
The dinosaurs probably had something to do with that!
This guide will take your class through the entire History of the Earth unit. Along with the student book, it also has label activities, letter writing prompts, and Venn diagrams.
Ambience
The photo backdrop for this unit was a huge hit - possibly the favorite so far.
I like how it has a T-Rex, but it's not the main feature. That would be a lot to walk in and see each day!
Click here to download this pdf with ambient videos, a read aloud, and live cams that your students will love watching throughout the unit.
Artwork
At the end of every unit my students create an art piece to illustrate their favorite thing they learned about, and then they write a few sentences.
For this project we always use oil pastels, kwik stixs and cardstock for these pieces. My students look forward to it each month.
Books
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs
Our World in Pictures The Dinosaur Book
*Please note: all links are Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Celebration Activities
Rock Exploration
I have 5 different rock kits that my students love exploring each year with our magnifying glasses: igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary, minerals, and a mixed set from over the years.
These kits are a huge hit each year. We also explore them during arrival time, and any indoor recess we have in the Spring too!
Model Earth
This model earth featuring the layers and temperatures is always a big hit in my class.
It was also a helpful resource when they made their own Layers of the Earth model by Lita Lita on our celebration day!
Dino Fossils
First graders always love the Knowledge block, but the stories can be long. I like to give them something to hold during the story, and these dinosaur fossils work perfectly.
Dinosaur Models
This year I got a set of miniature dinosaurs that my students are going loved exploring.
The book opens up to a map of where each dinosaur lived.
There are also cards and an encyclopedia for all 50 dinosaurs!
Dino Eggs
One of their favorite activities is Junior Paleontologist day, where they get to excavate a dinosaur from an egg.
We usually do this on a separate day, as it can take a bit longer for some students.
Soaking the eggs helps speed up the process - and cuts down on the dust!
To make the event more exciting, I created official ID badges for them before they enter the excavation zone.
They love their Junior Paleontologist ID badges, click here for a free copy.
They can draw their picture, but I like to use their school stickers for it. They just need to sign their name, and then they are official Junior Paleontologists!
I included 2 sizes, the smaller size can fit in an ID badge holder, so my students can wear it on the day. Or all week as the case was - they really loved feeling "official."
This year I added a Junior Paleontologists Work Zone sign to our door, which made everyone want to come visit!
Dinosaur Puzzle
This dinosaur floor puzzle by Melissa & Doug fits the unit perfectly too!
Coloring Pages
Make Your Own Fossil
This year we are going to make our own fossils using a salt dough (2 cups of all purpose flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water).
Then they press in objects like: shells, sticks, rocks to make imprints. After they dry, you can water color them for a beautiful effect!
Lava in a Cup
We did this activity from Sublime Science, but I never got a chance to take pictures. I will add some when we do it this year!
It's a great way to help them understand how the lava moves.
We also did the Color Explosion Experiment . It has more of an eruption (and messy effect) so they had a great time with that one!
These trays allowed everyone to have space to try it out, and they kept the mess contained too!
Don't miss the other posts in this series!
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 1: Fables and Stories - Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 2: The Human Body - Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 3: Different Lands, Similar Stories
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 4: Early World Civilizations
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 5: Early American Civilizations Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 6: Astronomy
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 7: History of the Earth Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Domain 8: Animals and Habitats Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 CKLA Knowledge Domain 9: Fairy Tales Celebration Ideas
- Amplify Grade 1 CKLA Knowledge Domain 10 American Independence: A New Nation and Domain 11 Frontier Explorers Activities
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