--- title: Earth’s Systems 9 description: Earth’s Systems 9 Create models to identify physical features of Earth (e.g., mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, lakes, rivers, oceans). image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # Earth’s Systems 9 Create models to identify physical features of Earth (e.g., mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, lakes, rivers, oceans). [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse Earth’s Systems 9 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-26-56-0229-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) ## [Earth Events In the last unit, students explored the properties of different kinds of matter, connecting a material’s properties with the functions for which it is used. In this unit, students focus on Earth materials and the science phenomena of processes that change them (specifically weathering and erosion). ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-10-28-21-7007-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) ## [Controlling Erosion In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of different processes that change Earth’s surface over time. Once students have investigated how wind and water change the shape of the land, they use their scientific knowledge to engineer a solution that prevents rainwater from washing away a sandy hillside. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(39).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) ## [Fossils and Tectonic Plate Motion In this unit, students focus on phenomena related to Earth’s ice as they model how glaciers shape Earth’s surface, and investigate how scientists use ice cores to reconstruct Earth’s past climates and environments. In this lesson, students analyze how scientists can use the science phenomena of fossils in rock layers as evidence for past changes on Earth. This page showcases all the components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) ## [Heat and Water In kindergarten, students begin to develop the practices that scientists and engineers use to help them answer questions and solve problems. This page is a high level extract from lesson 3, where students carry out an experiment to determine how heat affects water in a solid form (ice).](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/the-water-cycle) ## [The Water Cycle This page is a high level extract from lesson 4 where kindergarten students develop a model to show how water is cycled between the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/the-water-cycle) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/the-water-cycle) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) ## [Weather Patterns In kindergarten, students work towards developing routines and practices that scientists use to investigate phenomena and solve problems. This page is an extract from lesson 5 where students build on their weather observation skills as they observe and record local weather data to analyze weather patterns in their geographic area. Students continue to collect weather data over several months as they move onto the next lessons to build on their weather patterns analysis.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-18-2023-10-43-30-5840-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/who-scientists-are) ## [Who Scientists Are In kindergarten, students begin to develop the practices that scientists and engineers use to help them answer questions and solve problems. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/who-scientists-are) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/who-scientists-are) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-18-2023-10-46-31-5099-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) ## [Windy Weather In kindergarten, students begin to develop the practices that scientists and engineers use to help them answer questions and solve problems.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/landforms-book1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earth-geologic-history) ## [Earth's Geologic History In this unit, students explore phenomena that change Earth’s surface over time, analyzing how weathering, erosion, and convection in the mantle are three phenomena that help to cycle Earth materials. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earth-geologic-history) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earth-geologic-history) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/earths-systems-9", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Earth’s Systems 9 Create models to identify physical features of Earth (e.g., mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, lakes, rivers, oceans)." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```