Rapid Changes to Earth
Rapid Changes to Earth
Lesson duration is: 40 minItems in this lesson
Rapid Changes to Earth
Open with the big idea that Earth's surface can change very fast. Keep language simple and lively for Year 1 pupils.
Our Learning Goal
I can name some things that change the surface of the Earth quickly.
This item has no instructions
What quick Earth changes do you know?
Use this to hear pupils' first ideas. Accept simple words such as volcano, shaking, flood, storm, crack, lava or wave.
The Earth Can Change
The ground does not stay the same forever.
Some changes are slow.
Some changes are quick.
Today we learn about quick changes.
Stress the contrast between slow and quick change, but keep the focus on quick change because that is the lesson thread.
What Can Change Earth Quickly?
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Extreme weather
These can change land in a short time.
Use this as the overview slide for the lesson structure. Read each word slowly and clearly.
What Is a Volcano?
A volcano is an opening in the Earth's surface.
Hot melted rock comes up from inside the Earth.
This melted rock is called magma.
Introduce magma as hot melted rock under the ground. Avoid adding extra detail beyond the source material.
When a Volcano Erupts
Magma pushes up → bursts out → becomes lava on the Earth's surface.
Point out that magma is under the ground and lava is on the ground.
How Lava Changes Land
Lava flows over the ground.
Then it cools.
It turns into solid rock.
New rock changes the shape of the land.
This is the key mechanism for how volcanoes change Earth's surface.
A Famous Volcano
Krakatoa erupted in Indonesia in 1883.
It was one of the most destructive eruptions in history.
The explosion was heard very far away.
Use this as a memorable real-world example. Do not dwell on distance numbers unless pupils are ready for it.
What is magma?
hot melted rock
cold hard rock
rain water
soft sand
Checks the key idea from the volcano slides: magma is under the ground and is hot melted rock.
Volcano words
A volcano is an opening in the Earth's surface. Hot melted rock under the ground is called magma. When it bursts out, it becomes lava on the Earth's surface. Then it cools and turns into solid rock.
The blanks follow the sequence taught: magma under ground, lava on the surface, then solid rock after cooling.
What Is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground.
It happens very quickly.
The land can crack or move.
Keep this simple and concrete: shaking ground and land movement.
How Earthquakes Change Land
The ground can split.
Rocks can fall.
The shape of the land can change fast.
Roads and buildings can be damaged too.
The lesson focus is surface change, so keep returning to how the land looks different afterwards.
Earthquakes Are Rapid Changes
An earthquake can happen in moments.
The ground can look different straight away.
That is why it is a rapid change.
This item has no instructions
What does an earthquake do?
grows flowers
shakes the ground
makes lava
fills the sky
Checks the core definition from the earthquake block.
Earthquake facts
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground. It can happen very quickly. The land can crack or move.
Uses simple recall of the exact ideas from slides 8 to 10.
Extreme Weather
Some weather is very strong.
Floods
Tsunamis
Hurricanes
Pronounce each example clearly. These are the exact weather-related examples in the source.
Tsunamis and Hurricanes
Strong waves and strong winds can move water and break land apart.
They can change the Earth's surface very quickly.
Keep the explanation broad and age-appropriate. The main point is that extreme weather can rapidly reshape the surface.
Three Quick Changes
Volcanoes make lava and new rock.
Earthquakes shake and crack the ground.
Extreme weather moves water and changes land.
This is the lesson landing point before the glossary. It resolves the central question clearly.
Which one is extreme weather?
magma
hurricane
rock
crack
Uses one clear example from the extreme weather list.
Which quick change do you remember best?
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Floods
Tsunamis
Hurricanes
This item has no instructions
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection only. Invite simple answers such as a volcano makes lava, earthquakes shake the ground, or floods cover land.
How did this lesson feel for you?
This item has no instructions
What helped you learn best today?
Reflection only. Pupils may mention pictures, volcano words, the examples, or the recap slide.
Glossary
Earth's surface - the outside part of the Earth
rapid change - a change that happens quickly
volcano - an opening in the Earth's surface
magma - hot melted rock under the ground
lava - hot melted rock on the Earth's surface
eruption - when a volcano bursts out
solid rock - rock that has cooled and gone hard
This item has no instructions
Glossary
earthquake - a sudden shaking of the ground
extreme weather - very strong weather
flood - water covering land
tsunami - a very large sea wave
hurricane - a very strong storm wind
This item has no instructions
