Earth Science is the investigation of the origin and development of the earth. It includes the various sciences such as geology, physical geography, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy that deal with the structure and makeup of the earth and with its waters and atmosphere.

Investigating Earth Science explores a variety of specific areas in the earth sciences and provides the teacher with instructional activities. One set of activities provided is an interdisciplinary array based on a single scientific concept. This section includes specific open-ended activities in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, and the Arts. Also included is an activity related to an individual or group who made a significant contribution in this area. The teacher may choose to do all, some, or only one of the activities to provide instruction to students. The open-ended nature of each of the activities empowers the teacher to differentiate and/or individualize what the students produce based on interest, strength, and/or ability.

The pages that follow the interdisciplinary activities offer sub-topics related to, but not necessarily covered in the main scientific concept. Each of the sub-topics has an array of extension enrichment activities arranged according to a thinking and problem-solving hierarchy based primarily on the work of Benjamin Bloom. Teachers or students may choose to explore any or all of the sub-topics as extension/enrichment activities to support the main scientific concept. Selection of these activities may also be determined by students’ interest or curiosity. The differentiation component for this section is provided through the leveled activities.

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Grades 5–8.