Earth is a special planet where we all live. It’s the third planet from the sun and has many unique features that make it different from other planets in our solar system.
Earth is one of the inner rocky planets and is about 93 million miles away from the sun. It’s smaller than the big gas planets like Jupiter and Saturn, but Earth is the first planet with a moon. Our moon is the only one we have!
Earth is often called the “blue planet” because so much of it is covered in water. More than 70% of Earth’s surface is oceans! This water is important because it helps support life, including plants, animals, and humans. Other planets are either too hot or too cold for liquid water, but Earth has just the right temperature.
Earth’s atmosphere is like a big blanket of air around the planet. It’s mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen, which we need to breathe. The atmosphere also keeps Earth warm and protects us from the sun’s harmful rays and space rocks called meteors. Most meteors burn up before they can hit the ground.
Earth moves in two important ways. It takes about 365 days to go all the way around the sun, which is why we have a year. Earth also spins around on its axis every 24 hours, giving us day and night. The axis is tilted, which is why we have seasons. When one part of Earth is tilted toward the sun, it’s summer there, and when it’s tilted away, it’s winter.
Inside Earth, there are different layers. The top layer is the crust, where we live. It’s solid and cool. Below the crust is the mantle, which is made of hot, melted rock called magma. Sometimes, magma comes out through volcanoes. At the very center is the core, which is super hot and made of iron and nickel. Even though it’s hot, the core stays solid because of the pressure.
Earth is important because it’s our home and supports many forms of life. With billions of people and countless plants and animals, we need to take care of our planet. No other planet we know of can support human life like Earth does.
Learning about Earth helps us understand and appreciate our amazing planet. As we discover more about our world, it’s important to protect it for the future. Let’s take care of Earth so it can continue to be a wonderful home for everyone!
Water Exploration: Take a small walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park with an adult. Look for different sources of water like ponds, streams, or fountains. Discuss why water is important for plants, animals, and humans. You can also try a simple experiment at home: fill a clear glass with water and place it in the sunlight. Observe how the sunlight makes the water sparkle and think about why Earth is called the “blue planet.”
Earth’s Blanket: The Atmosphere: With the help of an adult, blow up a balloon and let it go. Watch how it moves and think about how Earth’s atmosphere holds air around the planet. Discuss why the atmosphere is important for breathing and protecting us from the sun. You can also try to spot the moon or stars at night and talk about how the atmosphere helps us see them clearly.
Day and Night Observation: Over a weekend, observe the sky at different times of the day. Draw pictures of what you see in the morning, afternoon, and night. Notice how the sun moves across the sky and how it changes from day to night. Discuss with a family member why Earth spinning on its axis causes day and night, and how this movement is important for life on Earth.
