1. Earth, Weather, and Landforms By Third Grade Students 2009-2010

2. Table of Contents Earth’s Layers Earth’s Layers Earth’s Layers Earth’s Layers Coasts Coasts Coasts Deserts Deserts Deserts Islands Islands Islands Lakes Lakes Lakes Mountains Mountains Mountains Oceans Peninsulas Plains Soil Rivers Weathering

3. The Earth’s Layers by Brandi and Ryan The Earth has three layers: The Earth has three layers: –The crust is a thin layer of rock and water. –The mantle is a thick layer of heavy molten rock. –The core is mainly made of hot liquids. The crust is 10 miles of rocks and materials. The crust is 10 miles of rocks and materials. The mantle is 1,800 miles of solid rock. The mantle is 1,800 miles of solid rock. The core is 3000 miles of molten lava, iron and nickel. The core is 3000 miles of molten lava, iron and nickel. Facts from “Planet Earth” by Christina Coster-Longman © 2001. Facts from “Planet Earth” by Christina Coster-Longman © 2001. Image from http://www.platetectonics.com/book/images/Innerstrata.jpg Return to Contents Page

4. Coasts by Shayla A coast is where land meets the sea. A coast is where land meets the sea. The point where land meets water is called the shoreline. The point where land meets water is called the shoreline. A coast can be a sandy beach, cliff, sand dune, or mud. A coast can be a sandy beach, cliff, sand dune, or mud. A coastal plain is a stretch of low land along a seacoast. A coastal plain is a stretch of low land along a seacoast. A coastal plain slopes gently toward the sea. A coastal plain slopes gently toward the sea. Some facts came from “The World Book Encyclopedia” © 2007. Some facts came from “The World Book Encyclopedia” © 2007. Image from http://oregonstate.edu/admissions/international/slideshow/slidephotos/ OregonCoast.jpg Return to Contents Page

5. Deserts by Reid Deserts are almost completely dry places. Deserts are found all over the world. Many are sandy or rocky and only some kinds of plants and animals can live there. There are hot and cold deserts. My facts are from “Deserts” by Andy Owens © 1998. Image from http://www.kbears.com/climates/desert.jpg Return to Contents Page

6. Islands by Jarrett A island is land surrounded by water. Greenland is an island three times bigger than Texas. Many islands are formed by under water volcanoes. Facts from “Islands” by Christine Webster © 2005. Image from http://jolle.se/imgs/island11.jpg Return to Contents Page

7. Lakes by Austin  Lakes are water surrounded by land.  Lakes can be man-made or made by nature.  Some lakes have freshwater and others have salt water.  Some lakes have sand in the bottom, other lakes have mud or weeds.  The largest freshwater lake in the world is Lake Superior.  Facts from “What Are Lakes?” by Mari Schuh ©2002. Image from http://www.america2050.org/assets_c/2007/09/GreatLakes1-thumb- 448x278.jpg Return to Contents Page

8. Mountains by Seth Mountains are land that rise high above the land around it. They are large pieces of rock that rise above the earth. They are all over the world. The top is the summit and the bottom is the footstep. Facts from “Mountains” by Andy Owen © 1998. Image from http://www.desktopscenes.com/Scenes%20from%20Big%20Sky%20Country %20(2003)/Lone%20Mountain%20and%20Wildflowers.jpg Return to Contents Page

9. Oceans by Nick Oceans are the biggest bodies of water. Oceans are the biggest bodies of water. The oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and the Indian Oceans. The oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and the Indian Oceans. I learned the Pacific ocean is the biggest ocean in the world. I learned the Pacific ocean is the biggest ocean in the world. My facts are from “Oceans” by Anna O’Mara © 1996. My facts are from “Oceans” by Anna O’Mara © 1996. Image from http://www.lisisoft.com/imglisi/5/Themes/150980sun-over- the-ocean.jpg Return to Contents Page

10. Peninsulas by Dustin Peninsulas are land surrounded by water on three sides. Peninsulas are land surrounded by water on three sides. Water surrounds land everywhere except the point where it connects to a larger piece of land. Water surrounds land everywhere except the point where it connects to a larger piece of land. They are usually shaped long and thin. They are usually shaped long and thin. Some peninsulas are the Arabian, Florida, and Italy. Some peninsulas are the Arabian, Florida, and Italy. The Arabian Peninsula is about 1 million square miles and is the world’s largest. The Arabian Peninsula is about 1 million square miles and is the world’s largest. Facts from “The Student Discovery Encyclopedia”, Volume 9, © 2002. Facts from “The Student Discovery Encyclopedia”, Volume 9, © 2002. Image from http://www.pointrichmond.com/pointsanpablo/home/SanPabloPeninsulaDG.jpg Return to Contents Page

11. Plains By Layne A plain is land that is nearly flat. If you go there someday you might feel grass, wood, sand, or water. The plain can be found by a coast or inland. Facts from “Student Discovery Encyclopedia”, volume 9, © 2007. Image from https://woodward8.wikispaces.com/file/view/great_plains.jpg/37109819 Return to Contents Page

12. Soil by Paige Soil covers most land on earth. Soil covers most land on earth. Soil is made up of dead plants and animals, rotten leaves, dirt and rocks. Soil is made up of dead plants and animals, rotten leaves, dirt and rocks. Plants and trees grow in soil. Plants and trees grow in soil. Farmers grow crops in soil. Farmers grow crops in soil. Facts from “Soil” by Adele Richardson © 2002. Facts from “Soil” by Adele Richardson © 2002. Image from http://urbanext.illinois.edu/wrms/images/with/soil.gif Return to Contents Page

13. Rivers by Stefon A river is a large flowing body of water that flows overland. A river is a large flowing body of water that flows overland. The start of the river is called the source. The start of the river is called the source. Where the river meets the sea is called a river mouth. Where the river meets the sea is called a river mouth. Facts from “Rivers” by Andy Owen © 1998. Facts from “Rivers” by Andy Owen © 1998. Image from http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/170/rainforest_rivers_t0427.jpg Return to Contents Page

14. Weathering by Cassidy  Weathering is when forces in nature wear away rocks and earth.  Rain, wind, heat and cold are different kinds of weather that change rocks and earth.  Weather can crack, chip, or crumble rocks and cold wind can turn large rocks into small ones.  My facts are from “Rocks and Minerals” by William Russell ©1994. Image from http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/research/derry/graphics/river.jpg Return to Contents Page