Explore rocks, volcanoes, weather, oceans and the processes that shape Earth. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
1,427 public articles · Page 26 of 30
Some rocks have a special part. It is called sillimanite. It can look like tiny threads. This part grows when rocks get very hot. It helps us learn about the Earth. Can you find a shiny rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSilt is a tiny kind of dirt. It is smaller than sand. It feels like flour when it is dry. It can help plants grow in big fields. Do you like playing in the mud?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSiltstone is a type of rock. It is made of tiny bits of mud. It feels gritty when you touch it. Long ago, people used it to make art. It is a very cool rock. Do you like to collect rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA long time ago, the Earth changed. New plants grew on land. Small bugs lived on the ground too. Fish with teeth swam in the sea. It was a busy time. Can you imagine being there?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA sinkhole is a big hole in the ground. It can be small or very large. Sometimes the ground falls in fast. Other times it happens slow. It can even happen in space! Have you ever seen a hole in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis is a shiny gray rock. It is found deep in the ground. It has a metal look. We use it to get cobalt. It is very neat to see. Can you find a gray rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA big piece of rock moves down. It sinks deep into the Earth. This move can make fire mountains. It can even change the land. It is a big job for the Earth. Can you feel the ground move?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig parts of the Earth move. They sink into the hot ground. The cold parts are very heavy. They pull the rest of the part down. This helps the Earth move. It is a big job. Can you feel the ground move?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome rocks are very old. They are in Canada. These rocks are some of the oldest on Earth. They help us learn about our world. They are a big discovery! Do you like old rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig rocks can rub together. This rubbing makes them smooth. They can even look shiny. The rocks leave lines on each other. These lines show which way they moved. It is like a secret map. Can you find a smooth rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome earthquakes are very slow. They do not shake fast. They can last for many days. They are much quieter than big shakes. This helps us learn about our Earth. Do you want to learn more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSmithsonite is a type of rock. It comes from the ground. It can be many colors. Some parts are bright yellow. It helps us find zinc. It is very neat to see. Do you like rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSmog is dirty air. It looks like thick fog. It can come from cars and smoke. This air can make us sick. We must keep our air clean. Do you like fresh air?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA long time ago, Earth was very cold. It was like a big snowball. Ice covered the land and the sea. This was a very cold time for our world. It helps us learn how Earth changes. Do you like the snow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA snowflake is a tiny ice crystal. It falls from the sky. It starts as a small speck. Then, water turns into ice. Every flake looks different. Can you find a snowflake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA snow squall is a fast snow storm. It brings very strong wind. The snow can blow so much that you cannot see. This can be hard for cars on the road. It happens very fast. Have you seen a big snow storm?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSodalite is a pretty blue stone. It can be many colors. Some is even pink or green. People use it for jewelry. It looks very nice on a ring. Do you like blue stones?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThere is a very long cave. It is in a place called Ethiopia. A river flows inside it. The cave has many tall stone poles. It is a special place. Do you want to see it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMud and sand can move like liquid. This happens when they are soft. They can fold or make wavy shapes. These shapes stay in the rock. They show us how the ground moved. Can you find wavy lines in rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe dirt in the ground can change. Sometimes the dirt gets too sour. This can hurt plants and roots. It can even make leaves turn yellow. We can help the dirt stay healthy. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil is the dirt under our feet. It is made of tiny rocks. It also has air and water. Small bugs live in the dirt. They help plants grow big and strong. It helps our world stay healthy. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople group soil into kinds. They look at how it feels. They look at its color. This helps us build big things. It also helps us grow food. It is very smart! Do you like playing in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDirt can wash away. Rain and wind move it. It can leave the top of the ground. This makes it hard to grow food. We must help keep it there. Do you see dirt moving?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleHealthy soil is full of life. Tiny living things live there. They help plants grow big. Good soil helps us too. It is like a home for bugs. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil has many layers. These layers are called horizons. Some layers are dark. Some layers are light. They sit on top of hard rock. This helps plants grow. Can you find soil outside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSometimes the ground acts like water. This happens when the earth shakes. Water pushes the sand apart. The ground becomes soft and runny. Buildings can tilt or sink. It is very strange! Have you ever seen quicksand?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil has many layers. These layers are in the ground. Some soil is dark and some is light. It can feel smooth or rough. This helps plants grow well. Do you like to dig in dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSoil can be sour or sweet. This helps plants grow. Some plants like sour soil. Other plants like sweet soil. We can test the soil to see. Do you like to garden?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome people study the dirt in the ground. They look at how water moves through it. They also look at the air in the dirt. This helps us grow food. It is very cool to learn. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSometimes dirt gets too salty. This salt can hurt plants. It comes from water we use for farms. We must wash the salt away. This helps the plants grow big. Can you help the plants?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe dirt under our feet has different parts. It has big bits and tiny bits. Some dirt feels gritty like sand. Some dirt feels sticky like clay. This helps us know what can grow there. Do you like to play in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe ground is made of many soils. Each soil is a special kind. Some have much sand in them. This helps plants grow well. It is good to know about dirt. Can you find different dirt outside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome caves form in soft rock. Rain water helps melt the rock. This makes big holes underground. These holes can become large caves. It is a cool thing to see. Can you imagine a cave? Do you like to explore?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe earth has big pieces. One piece is near Africa. It is moving away. This makes new land. It helps the world change. We live on these pieces. Do you like to look at maps?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Sonoran Desert is a hot place. It is in the United States and Mexico. Many tall cacti grow there. Animals like owls live in the sand. It is a busy home for many living things. Do you like the sun?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe ground moves in big pieces. One big piece is under South America. It moves and hits other pieces. This makes tall mountains and hot volcanoes. It helps shape our world. Do you like to look at mountains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA big lake is getting small. Water moved to help farms grow. Now the lake is split up. Some parts are dry and sandy. This changes the land for us. It is a big change. Can you imagine a dry lake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig ocean water moves in a loop. It moves from the top to the bottom. It moves from the bottom to the top. This helps our whole Earth. It keeps our world healthy. Can you feel the sea breeze?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarth has a special spot. It is near the bottom. This spot helps magnets work. The spot moves all the time. It is far from the ice. It is a big wonder. Can you find it on a map?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome people study caves. They look at how caves grow. They find tiny bugs living there. This work helps us learn about our world. It is very cool! Do you like dark caves?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRocks grow in dark caves. Water drips from the ceiling. It leaves bits of rock behind. These shapes grow very slow. They can look like long teeth. Some look like bumpy hills. Do you want to see them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis is a shiny mineral. It looks like bright silver. It can grow in small cubes. It is very heavy for its size. You might find it in the ground. Do you like shiny things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis rock helps us make metal. It has lots of zinc inside. We use it to stop rust. This helps our cars stay strong. It can even glow in the dark! Do you like shiny rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleOur world is shaped like a ball. It is not flat. It is a big, round shape. This helps us live on it. We live on a round Earth. Do you like looking at the stars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSpinel is a pretty stone. It comes in many colors. Some are red or blue. Some are even pink. People use them for jewelry. They look very bright. Do you have a favorite color?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome rocks are in a special group. They are made of tiny parts. These parts fit together in a cube shape. This helps them stay strong. They can be used in batteries. Do you like shiny rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome rocks hold a special part. This part helps make phone batteries. It can be purple or green. These rocks can be very pretty. They are used in jewelry. Do you like shiny rocks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRed lights flash high in the sky. They happen above big storms. These lights look like red or orange flashes. They are very fast. They are a cool sight to see. Have you ever seen a red flash?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article