What children explored
How the Earth Changes
Children explored simple ideas from Earth and geology through fun and meaningful activities. They watched a chemical volcanic reaction using a pumpkin model, where they saw bubbling and movement just like a real volcano. This helped them understand that some changes happen because of chemical reactions.
They also learned about geode and crystal formation as separate concepts. They saw how crystals slowly form over time and grow into solid shapes, helping them understand how geodes are formed and how crystals grow inside them.
Activities from this theme
What children made and tested
Pumpkin Volcano Reaction
Children used a hollowed pumpkin to create a volcanic chemical reaction using vinegar and baking soda. They observed the bubbling, the fizzing, and the overflow, connecting the reaction to real volcanic activity.
Formation of a Geode
Children observed how crystals slowly grow from a supersaturated solution. They created their own crystal formations and watched the process of crystallisation over time, learning about how geodes form deep inside the Earth.
Gallery
From the session
The Book
Paired read-aloud
Dear Earth: From Your Friends in Room 5
An environmental science book that introduces children to sustainability and conservation. The lesson plan was built around critical questions about how to care for the environment, reducing waste, and conserving energy. It is an epistolary narrative, a story told through letters, which also encouraged children to think about their own writing.