Fast and Slow Earth Changes Books & Videos for Kids

1. U.S. Landforms: What You Need to Know

by Linda Crotta Brennan 

This is a great book to start with to introduce different landforms to your class. It’s fun to be able to see real photographs of the landforms that form from the fast and slow earth changes.

2. What Is A Volcano? Discover The Secrets Of Nature!

by Ian Olio

Volcanoes are always a fan favorite to learn about in my class! This one is very basic and easy-to-understand which makes it a great book to spark that initial interest.

3. Earth’s Landforms and Bodies of Water

by Natalie Hyde

Earth’s Landforms and Bodies of Water is the perfect addition to help teach about rivers, lakes, oceans, and ponds.

After reading this one, your students will be able to identify different bodies of water as well as describe how and why they change.

4. Weathering and Erosion

by Torrey Maloof 

Weathering and erosion can be a tricky concept for your students to understand. This book does a wonderful job of making it a bit easier to grasp.

It’s perfect for 2nd graders as it’s a level J and includes a glossary of terms and a fun science experience to help make it more engaging!

5. Caves

by Stephen Kramer

It’s always fun to learn about the formation of caves over millions of years. Although slightly outdated, this book is still jam-packed with great information and photographs.

Your students will want to plan a trip to a nearby cave as soon as possible!

6. Exploring Peninsulas

by Melody S. Mis

If you don’t live in Florida, Peninsulas may be a bit hard to understand. This book from the Geography Zone collection dives into the formation, variations, and famous peninsulas around the world.

7. Mountains

by Sheila Anderson

I love this book as it’s a great introduction to the world of non-fiction and mountains. My students can independently read and comprehend the content. Plus, the pictures are beautiful to admire!

8. Disaster Zone Landslides

by Cari Meister

Students learn what happens in a landslide and about the conditions that cause the earth to give way. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn about the deadliest landslides and how to help prevent them

9. Erosion

by Marion Dane Bauer

Did you know that rain, waves, wind, snow, and ice can change the shape of Earths surface? They can create valleys, sea stacks, caves, and rock arches. Students learn about the natural forces of erosion and how they shape the land.

10. Wind and Water Change the Earth

by Natalie Hyde

This fascinating book explains how the shape of Earth is changed by weathering and erosion – the breaking down of rocks and minerals which are then carried from one place to another by water, ice, wind, and gravity. It is this movement that carves out valleys, causes trees to topple over, and creates or destroys good farmland. Examples of changes to landforms help show readers the effects of weathering and erosion, which can happen quickly or sometimes take centuries! Teacher’s guide available.

1. Landforms, Hey!

This crash course video is the ultimate introduction to your Landforms unit. The speaker does a great job using text and animations to show your students different types of landforms as well as how they are formed.

2. Exploring Landforms and Bodies of Water

FreeSchool always does a great job putting together informative videos. Although not quite as engaging as the first on this list, this 10-minute video shows various real photographs of landforms while the narrator gives information.

3. The Grand Canyon

I love to use this video as a fun virtual field trip! Pack your bags and take your class to visit the largest canyon in the United States.

4. How to Make a Map

Making and reading maps and models is an important skill to teach in conjunction with learning about fast and slow earth changes.

This five-minute video makes for a great prerequisite to creating your own 3D topographic map.

5. Weathering and Erosion

As a part of the Crash Course Kids series, this short video gives a quick overview of weathering and erosion.

It does use some large vocabulary words so it may be best used after your students have a basic understanding of the terms.

6. Water Breaks Down Rocks

And last, but certainly not least, this video shows a fun science experiment to help your students better understand weathering and erosion.

If you are feeling up to it, it’d be fun to do in your classroom as well!