Changes at the State Park

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Changes to the Environment .................pg1

Chapter 2: Weather Changes the Earth...................pg 12

Chapter 3: People Change the Earth.......................pg 21

Chapter 4: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse........................pg 31

Chapter 5: Conserving Natural Resources...............pg 40

Chapter 6: Alternative Energy...................................pg 49

Changes at the State Park

Chapter 1

Mrs. Moore's class is going on a field trip to a state park. Mrs. Moore's class is learning about the Earth. The class gets off the bus at the park. They see many trees and mountains. The see a river and a trail.

Changes to the Environment

Mrs. Moore says, "Today, we are going to learn about the Earth's environment. The environment is everything around us. It is the air, grass and trees. The environment includes mountains, rivers and seas. People, plants and animals are part of the Earth's environment."

"The environment is always changing. Changes can happen on their own, such as leaves changing color. Changes can also be caused by people, such as cutting down trees to make roads. Changes can happen slowly or quickly. They can take several days or many years." says Mrs. More

"I didn't know the Earth could change that fast," says Tony. "The Earth's environment can change slowly or quickly. Grab your water bottles and your backpacks. It's time to see some more changes to the environment!" says Mrs. Moore.

"Look at this big rock. Do you see anything on it?" asks Mrs. Moore. "It has a deep crack in it," says Tony. "You're right," says Mrs. Moore. "Weathering caused the rock to change. Weathering breaks apart rocks, soil and wood into tiny pieces. This usually happens very slowly."

"The wind blows against the rock. During rainstorms, water hits the rock. The rock is worn away by the wind and water. The rock's shape changes. It gets a small crack. Water gets into the crack and freezes. This makes the crack bigger," says Mrs. Moore.

"The movement of the plates can cause earthquakes. Earthquakes happen when the ground begins to shake very hard. Cracks can open up in the ground. Trees, buildings and homes can shake so hard that they fall down. People can get hurt," says Mrs. Moore.

"How does the Earth change quickly?" aks Tony. "What happens under the ground can quickly change the Earth. The layer of Earth we live on is called the crust. It is made of large pieces of rock called plates. The plates move and push against each other," says Mrs. Moore.

"Deep inside the Earth it is very hot. The heat melts rock. The melting rock can push through a crack in the Earth's crust. It explodes out of a mountain or hill called a volcano. Lava from the volcano can burn trees, grass and homes. Ash in the air makes it hard to breathe," says Mrs. Moore.

"Look at the river. The water flows and carries off tiny pieces of rocks and soil from the river's edge. The water moves the tiny pieces of rock and soil down the river. This is water erosion. Erosion happens over many years. The river will look differernt than before erosion happened," says Mrs. Moore.

11:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m

Lunch

Ride bus

Mrs. Moore's Field Trip Schedule

12:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m.

Canoeing

Meet with park ranger

1:30 p.m.

Wildfire Safety Class

8:45 a.m.

Walk on trail

2:00 p.m.

Leave state park

10:00 a.m

10:15 a.m.

Mrs. Moore's Field Trip Schedule

Start Time Activity

Tree Scavenger Hunt

Ride bus

Meet park ranger

Walk on trail

Snack

8:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Tree Scavenger Hunt

Lunch

Canoeing

Wildfire Safety Class

Leave state park

Mrs. Moore's class walks down a trail near the river. The clas hears the water moving in the river below. "Stop! I see a pile of leaves and tree branches on the trail. How did it get there?" Says Gwen. "The trail probably changed because of the weather," says Mrs. Moore.

Chapter 2: Weather Changes the Earth

Mrs. Moore says, "The leaves and branches could have been moved by water from the river. Floods can happen when it rains. A flood is when a lot of water covers land that is usually dry. The land can't soak in the water. Rivers and streams overflow. They flow onto dry land."

"During a flood, water moves across the land. It picks up leaves, branches and small rocks as it moves. Deep floods can move cars and trees and damage homes. People can get hurt. The flood ends. Anything the flood moved is left behind, such as branches," says Mrs. Moore.

"Not having rain can also change the environment. A drough happens when land gets less rain than normal. The ground dries out and cracks. Trees, grass and other plant life die without water. Animals may not have enough water to drink," says Mrs. Moore.

"A third way the Earth changes is through wind storms," says Mrs. Moore. "A tornado starts over land. Very fast wind moves in a circle. A spinning funnel-shaped could moves across the land. The high winds move soil, plants and trees. Tornadoes can destroy cars and houses.

"Wow!" says Gwen. "Tornadoes are dangerous." "yes, they are," says Mrs. Moore. "A hurricane is another type of dangerous wind storm. A hurricane starts over the ocean. The storm spins around as it moves. It has high winds and rain. The storm makes huge waves."

"Hurricanes can come on land," says Mrs. Moore. "The waves cause erosion on the beach. The water moves rocks and sand on the beach. The rain causes floods. Trees can fall down. The wind and rain can damage roads, buildings, cars and houses. People can get hurt."

Mrs. Moore's class walks around the pile of leaves and branches on the trail. "Weather changes the Earth's environment. It can also be dangerous for people. While we're on the trail, lets look for other ways the Earth changes," says Mrs. Moore.

Severe Weather Kit Supplies

Severe Weather Kit Scenarios

bottled water

The lights go out during a storm. What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

The water from your faucet isn't safe for drinking during a flood. What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

food

The weather radio isn't turning on during a thunderstorm. It doesn't have power. What could you use from the emergency kit to help?

There isn't any water coming from the faucet during a hurricane. You need to wash your hands. What could you use from the emergency kit to help?

flashlight

You cut your finger opening a can of food while the power is out. What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

You need to hear news about a tornado that is close to your town.What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

weather radio

The refrigerator is not working because a hurricane made the power go out. What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

batteries

The heat isn't working during a blizzard. It is very cold outside. What could you use from your emergency kit to help?

first aid kit

blanket

hand sanitizer

Mrs. Moore's class goes further down the trail. They see four birds in the trees. They see fish swimming in the river next to the trail. Sara says, "Look what I found! Why are those here?" She points to four candy wrappers on the ground.

Chapter 3: People Change the Earth

Mrs. Moore says, "people change the environment, too. Sometimes people hurt the environment. The wrappers are litter. Litter is trash that is found in the environment. Litter is a type of pollution. Pollution hurts the environment. People can pollute the land, water and air.

"Pollution happens on land. Litter on the ground covers grass and other plant life. The plants can't get sunlight like they did before. The grass and plants die. Animals eat litter and get sick. Litter also gets washed into rivers and streams when it rains," says Mrs. Moore.

"Water pollution happens in streams, rivers, seas and oceans. Litter ends up in the water. A sea turtle eats a plastic bag. It gets sick. Chemicals and oil cause water pollution, too. Fish and plants get oil on them during an oil spill. The fish and plants could die," says Mrs. Moore.

"A third place where pollution is found is in the air. Air polluon is when harmful chemicals float into the air. Factories, power plants and cars often pollute the air. Scientists think air pollution is changing Earth's temperature. It is making the Earth hotter," says Mrs. Moore.

"Wildfires change the environment. A wildfire is a large fire in a wooded area. The fire destroys trees and plants. Animals can get hurt. Homes can burn down. Some wildfires are helpful, however. The ashes from the fire make the soil healthy to grow new plants," says Mrs. Moore.

"Some wildfires happen when lightning strikes the ground while it is very dry. Most wildfires are started by people. They can start when people don't put out a campfire. Lighting fireworks can start wildfires, too," says Mrs. Moore.

"People also cause deforestation. People cut down trees before they begin building. Animals have to find new homes. Trees help prevent erosion and floods. Less trees means soil is washed away. Trees help clean our air. The air is less clean without them," says Mrs. Moore.

"People change the Earth. Sometimes they hurt the environment," says Sara. "Yes," says Mrs. Moore. "But, we can help the environment. We can try to make life better on Earth. Let's begin right now." Mrs. Moore picks up the four wrappers. She puts them in a nearby trash can.

by Heather Jenkins