A beautifully illustrated, hands-on introduction to Earth science that helps children ages 6–12 understand how our planet works—and why it matters.

Nature School: Planet Earth invites young learners to explore the world beneath their feet and the universe beyond their skies through engaging bite-size facts, vibrant illustrations, and more than 30 hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding. From the vastness of space to the delicate balance of Earth’s ecosystems, this accessible guide makes complex scientific ideas clear, memorable, and fun.

Building on the award-winning Nature School approach, the book introduces children to planet Earth through both physical and life science lenses, helping them see how geology, atmosphere, energy, and living systems work together to make life possible. Each chapter concludes with practical, screen-free activities that encourage observation, experimentation, and discussion—ideal for homeschooling families, classrooms, and independent learners alike.

Inside, children will explore:

  • Earth’s place in the universe, including the Milky Way galaxy, our solar system, and Earth’s relationship to the Sun and Moon
  • The structure and composition of Earth, from its size and shape to gravity, magnetic fields, and geographic features
  • Earth’s atmosphere, covering weather, climate, atmospheric layers, and what we see in the day and night sky
  • The conditions that support life, including natural resources, energy flow, latitude and longitude, and life cycles
  • Earth as an interconnected community, with clear explanations of ecosystems, biomes, food webs, biodiversity, and an ever-changing planet

Designed for children ages 6–12, Nature School: Planet Earth makes Earth science approachable, relevant, and meaningful. By combining foundational science concepts with hands-on learning, the book helps children not only understand how our planet works—but also develop a lasting appreciation for the systems that sustain life on Earth and our place within the wider universe.

The Nature School series is an engaging and interactive collection that inspires kids to explore the natural world through hands-on activities, science experiments, and creative prompts. Designed to foster curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love for outdoor learning, each book combines kid-friendly science facts with fun DIY projects, scavenger hunts, and vibrant illustrations to make nature education exciting and accessible. Perfect for young explorers, homeschoolers, parents, and educators, the series encourages children to connect with their surroundings, whether in their backyard, a local park, or beyond.

Also available from the series:Nature School; Nature School: The Workbook; Nature School: Planet Earth: The Workbook; Nature School: In the Garden, and Nature School: In the Garden: The Workbook.

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Nature School: Planet Earth is a beautifully illustrated learning resource offering lessons and activities that engage and enthrall children with the workings, surroundings, and composition of our incredible planet.

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Introduction 
CONTENTS
1 EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
The Universe as We Know It
Milky Way: Earth’s Galactic Home 
Our Solar System 
The Planets 
Earth and the Moon 
Celestial Influences 
The Goldilocks Zone
Earth’s Natural History 
Space Exploration 
Activities 
2 EARTH’S COMPOSITION
Composition of Earth 
Magnetic Earth 
Earth’s Crust and Lithosphere 
Earth’s Pedosphere 
Plate Tectonics: Earth’s Moving Parts 
How Mountains Are Made 
Earth’s Geological Characteristics 
Earth’s Natural Wonders 
Activities 
3 EARTH’S HYDROSPHERE
The Blue Planet 
The Water Cycle
Properties of Water 
Salt Water: Earth’s Oceans 
Seabed: The Landscape of the Ocean 
Earth’s Fresh Water 
Earth’s Groundwater 
Earth’s Cryosphere 
How Water Shapes Earth 
Activities 
4 EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE
Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere 
Stratification: Layers of the Atmosphere 
The Transfer of Heat Energy
Climate and Weather 
Clouds 
The Wild Wind 
Types of 
What We See in the Sky 
Air: Essential to Life on Earth
Activities
5 LIFE ON EARTH
Biosphere: Earth’s Global Ecosystem
Ecology: The Interconnectedness of Life
Ecosystems 
Ecosystems around the World 
Location and Life on Earth 
Energy Flow 
Biodiversity: The Variety of Life 
Life Cycles-
Biochemical Cycles 
Our Ever-Changing Earth 
Activities 
Acknowledgments 
About the Authors 
Index

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AWARD-WINNING SERIES EXTENSION: The award-winning Nature School has become a beloved resource for many teachers and home educators.

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780760391976
Publisert
2025-02-20
Utgiver
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
Vekt
635 gr
Høyde
279 mm
Bredde
216 mm
Aldersnivå
J, 02
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
144

Biografisk notat

Lauren Giordano is an author, illustrator, and owner of Chickie & Roo, an educational curriculum and resource company for families and schools. She home educates her two children in Florida and taught in her local homeschool co-op community, where she led nature classes. Lauren is passionate about bringing children closer to nature and helping them develop a deeper understanding of our natural world. Her work has been featured in The Peaceful Press, A Year of Learning, Chickadees Wooden Toys, Wild & Free Co., FunSchooling Books, and more. You can find her work at chickieandroo.com. Stephanie Hathaway is a Kansas City–area artist who specializes in creating educational content inspired by our natural world. She believes in using beautiful, dynamic illustrations to make learning about science and nature exciting and accessible to children of all ages. She is guided by the notion that many of life’s valuable lessons can be learned from nature. She hopes that her work will inspire families to explore and learn from the natural world right outside their own door. You can see more of Stephanie’s educational nature-based studies and original artwork at stephaniehathawaydesigns.com. Laura Stroup is the founder of Firefly Nature School, a nature study curriculum designed for homeschooling families, co-ops, and classrooms found online at fireflynatureschool.com. Laura has a bachelor of science degree in animal ecology from Iowa State University with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former museum educator and upper-school science teacher, she now directs School of the Wild, an immersive nature school that serves her local community. Laura resides in the countryside near Springfield, Missouri, with her family.