Changes to Earth's Surface Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Changes to Earth’s Surface 5th Grade resources provide a complete, student-led learning experience with engaging, hands-on activities, differentiated station labs, editable presentations, interactive notebooks, and assessments. Built on the 5E Model, these materials support multimodal learning with printable and digital formats, Spanish translations, and flexible project options. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of how Earth’s surface changes and the landforms created in the process. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Kesler Science Changes to Earth’s Surface 5th Grade Complete 5E Lesson makes lesson planning simple with ready-to-use, engaging materials. Students explore how Earth’s surface changes and the landforms created through these processes. With minimal prep and student-led learning, this multi-day lesson allows teachers to focus on student success.

Built on the 5E Model, the lesson includes objectives, word wall cards, and interactive discussions for engagement. A differentiated station lab provides hands-on, research-based, and digital activities to support diverse learning styles. Editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and student-choice projects enhance understanding, while assessments, review questions, and worksheets ensure mastery.

Designed for flexibility, the lesson includes printable and digital resources, Spanish translations, and multimodal learning tools. Students apply their knowledge through organizing, writing, illustrating, and assessment activities, with a Challenge It! station for enrichment. This comprehensive resource supports classroom and remote learning with structured yet adaptable content.

The Kesler Science Changes to Earth’s Surface Station Lab is a modular, student-led experience that keeps 5th graders engaged while exploring how landforms change over time. This differentiated, low-prep resource allows students to direct their own learning through hands-on, research-based, and interactive activities. With eight core stations and a ninth challenge station for early finishers, students encounter and apply concepts in multiple ways.

The station lab includes all necessary signage, literature, task cards, and resources for independent or small-group work. Input stations introduce concepts through hands-on exploration, research, reading passages (available in Spanish and English), and videos. Output stations allow students to demonstrate understanding through sorting activities, illustrations, writing prompts, and assessments. A flexible Challenge It! station provides enrichment for advanced learners.

Designed for both classroom and virtual learning, this adaptable station lab supports diverse learners while saving teachers valuable prep time. Students use common classroom supplies and digital tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides to complete engaging, self-paced tasks.

The Kesler Science Changes to Earth’s Surface Student Choice Projects empower 5th graders to showcase their learning in a way that fits their strengths. With nine project options plus a "design your own" choice, students engage in creative, student-led exploration. A flexible, editable rubric allows teachers, peers, or students to assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, and accuracy.

Designed for differentiation, the resource includes a modified project page with targeted support for students needing remediation. For those seeking a challenge, teachers can assign multiple projects while maintaining consistent grading criteria. This flexibility ensures all students can succeed at their level.

Using common classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, students can bring their projects to life. Many activities also have digital options, making these choice projects adaptable for any learning environment.

The Kesler Science 5th Grade Earth Science Interactive Notebook bundle provides 11 essential topics with multiple templates, making science lessons more engaging and accessible. Designed for traditional, 1:1, and distance learning environments, this resource includes both print and digital formats to fit any classroom setting.

The digital version features unique interactive PowerPoint files, Google Slides compatibility, reflection pages, and modified templates for students needing accommodations. The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, plus color photo examples for easy implementation.

Covering key earth science topics like the water cycle, changes to Earth's surface, Earth's rotation, weather, and fossil fuels, these interactive notebooks help students organize their learning while giving teachers an adaptable, low-prep resource.

The Kesler Science Changes to Earth’s Surface Science and ELA Integrated Writing Activity engages 5th graders in exploring how wind, water, and ice shape landforms. Using a creative storyboard format, students apply their science knowledge while developing writing skills. Designed for both in-class and virtual learning, this low-prep activity enhances reasoning and scientific exploration.

With flexible formats, the resource includes teacher guides, full and half-sheet handouts, a projection version, and an interactive digital option compatible with Google Slides. Students can organize their thoughts through pre-writing strategies and self-checks, making the activity accessible and engaging.

Perfect for cross-curricular learning, this activity works as a formative assessment, student-choice project, early finisher task, or differentiation exercise. It pairs seamlessly with other Kesler Science resources, providing meaningful writing practice while reinforcing earth science concepts.

The Kesler Science 5th Grade Earth/Space Science WIKI Tickets offer engaging, low-prep formative assessments to check student understanding. With 33 topics aligned to NGSS and TEKS, these exit tickets provide quick insights into learning while keeping students interested. Each ticket is designed to be colorful, interactive, and easy to implement in any upper elementary science classroom.

Each WIKI Ticket comes in five formats: a full-screen projection version, three printable handout sizes, and a digital interactive option for Google Slides or PowerPoint. This flexibility allows teachers to use them in various settings, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid learning. Students can respond on paper, digitally, or verbally, making these assessments accessible and adaptable.

Covering essential earth and space science topics like weather, changes to Earth's surface, natural resources, the water cycle, and planetary patterns, WIKI Tickets help reinforce key concepts. Whether used as exit tickets, bellringers, or quick progress checks, they provide valuable feedback to guide instruction while keeping students engaged.

Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Learn More

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Learn More

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.

Learn More

Essential Questions

Below are the essential questions associated with the lessons and activities included in this unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions

How does Earth’s surface change?
What landforms are created when Earth’s surface changes?