We are earthlings. All countries, cities, forests and oceans known to us are located on one planet - Earth. It belongs to the solar system. The solar system is made up of eight planets revolving around one star, the Sun. In addition to Earth, the system includes Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Earth is the third planet farthest from the Sun. And the only one of all the planets in our system on which there is life. Why?
Scientists believe that there are many conditions necessary for the emergence of life on the planet. This includes the temperature regime - not too hot and not too cold - and the presence of water, and the atmosphere in which there must be a number of certain elements, and much more. Not a single planet in the solar system, with the exception of Earth, meets all the requirements. Mercury is too hot, Uranus is very cold, Venus has no atmosphere at all. But our planet seems to have been created for life to arise on it.
Our article today will help you introduce your child to our amazing planet, tell you about the history of the Earth, its place in space, structure and other interesting facts.
Description of planet Earth for children
Earth is not the largest of the planets in the solar system. On the contrary, it is one of the smallest - only Mercury and Venus are smaller than it. But at the same time, the radius of the Earth is 6 thousand 371 kilometers.
The earth is almost perfectly round. At the poles it is slightly flattened. Therefore, two different radii of the Earth are often called: equatorial (in the middle of the planet) - 6378 km and polar (at the “ends”) - 6357 km.
In ancient times, people did not know that the Earth is spherical. They imagined something like a round flat plate. Only after the sailors circumnavigated the Earth and returned to the same place, it became clear that our planet is a ball. Now there is no doubt about it: we have seen many times photographs of the Earth taken from space. By the way, in many photographs the seas, mountains and even large cities are clearly visible.
Earth Rotation
The Earth, like other planets in the solar system, undergoes a complex rotation: around the Sun and around its axis (an imaginary line passing through the center of the planet). Moreover, around the Sun the Earth moves not in a circle, but in an ellipse - this is such an elongated circle.
It is thanks to this rotation that day and night come on Earth, and summer gives way to winter.
Everything is clear with the time of day: day is on that part of the planet that is currently facing the Sun, night is on the opposite. The Earth makes a complete rotation around its axis in approximately 24 hours - during this time a day passes on Earth.
The seasons are more complicated. The Earth makes a complete revolution around the Sun in 365 days. Many people think that the change of seasons is associated with the distance of the Earth from the Sun. But it is not so. The angle of the Earth's inclination relative to the Sun has a much stronger effect on air temperature. The fact is that the Earth's axis (around which rotation occurs) is tilted relative to the Sun by more than 23 degrees. And during rotation, the sun's rays fall on the Earth in different ways. If it’s straight, summer is coming, if it’s at an angle, it’s getting colder. The greater the slope, the colder it is.
The most direct rays fall to the equator, which is why the weather is almost always smooth there, and the extreme points of the Earth - the poles - are so inclined that the sun glides across the surface and does not warm the earth. That's why it's cold in the Arctic and Antarctic even in summer.
How did planet Earth appear?
The child will probably have a question about how our planet was formed. Scientists can only make assumptions on this matter; they do not have an exact answer.
The main hypothesis is that 4.6 billion years ago the Sun arose from a huge gas cloud, and under its influence, the planets of the solar system, including the Earth, were formed from the cosmic dust around. At that time, it bore little resemblance to the planet we live on. Most likely, it was a fireball, which, as it cooled, turned into a stone desert - without water, atmosphere and, of course, signs of life.
Gradually, under the influence of various processes occurring in the depths, various substances rose to the surface. Some turned into water, others participated in the formation of the atmosphere. This happened slowly: scientists believe that the formation of the oceans and surfaces took more than 200 million years.
What is planet Earth made of?
The child will be interested in learning about the structure of our planet. The earth, if you imagine it in cross-section, consists of several layers.
In the very center is the core, solid on the inside and liquid on the outside. Its composition is metal alloys, mainly iron and nickel. The core occupies most of the diameter of the earth, it is the size of the planet Mars. There is an inner and outer core. This part of the earth is very hot, and the deeper it is, the hotter it is. It is impossible to reach such a level, but, according to scientists, the temperature inside the core can be higher than in the Sun - up to 7 thousand degrees.
Above the core is the mantle. This is the most important layer of the Earth - and the largest (over 80% of the total volume). This is where most of the substances that make up the Earth are concentrated. These are mainly iron compounds, but the structure of the layer is not entirely solid: the mantle is rather viscous, so it is often said that the earth's crust “floats” on the mantle.
The earth's crust is the upper part of solid earth. Compared to other layers it is thin. There is continental and oceanic crust. The layer of continental crust reaches 40–50 kilometers, and under the oceans - 5–10. The crust makes up about 1% of the Earth's mass.
The earth's crust and upper mantle are called the lithosphere.
And the hydrosphere is the entire water part of the Earth’s surface, which includes the World Ocean, waters and glaciers, and groundwater.
It turns out that for a surface covered with water, the hydrosphere is located above the lithosphere.
Even higher is the atmosphere. This is no longer part of the planet, but its gas shell, which is located above the Earth and rotates with it.
The composition of the earth's atmosphere, and more specifically the oxygen content in it, played a key role in the emergence of life on Earth.
In addition to oxygen, nitrogen and other gases are present in the Earth's atmosphere. And thanks to the ozone layer in the atmosphere, the Earth is protected from most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
Lesson summary “Our planet Earth”
Lesson summary on the topic: “Our planet Earth.”
Author: Bystrova V.V. – teacher
Child Development Center "Skazka"
r.p. Red Buckies
2017
Goals:
- To give children an idea that planet Earth is a huge ball, that it is very large, that most of it is covered with water, there are continents - land; there are many living creatures on the planet, they need clean water, clean air, clean land to live; about environmental pollution.
— Develop a responsible attitude towards the environment.
— Cultivate a love for nature and respect for it.
Preparatory work:
Classes and conversations about planet Earth and the surrounding nature; about the place of man in nature; about human interaction with nature; about the need to preserve and protect nature. Reading poems, proverbs, sayings, riddles about nature. Drawing, applique, modeling.
Materials and equipment:
Map, globe, pointer.
Progress of the lesson:
Q: Good morning, dear children,
You are the most beautiful in the world!
D: (they say hello).
Q: Today, guys, we have a very amazing conversation! Sit back, I'll tell you something.
You and I live on a wonderful planet, it’s called...
D: Earth!
Q: Yes, that's right! What is it like, our Earth?
D: Beautiful, blue, big, unusual, etc.
Q: Imagine that you are astronauts flying in a rocket, what does our Earth look like in space?
The children are talking.
Q: Our planet is a huge, enormous ball; it takes many, many days, even months, to go around it.
Showing the globe.
Q: What is there on our planet?
Children's answers.
Q: First of all, there are two poles on our planet. What are their names?
Children's answers.
Q: One is northern, the other is southern. The northern one is on top of the globe, the southern one is below.
What else is there on our planet?
Children's answers.
Q: Most of the earth is covered with water - these are seas and oceans. Have you heard about them? Maybe you know what the seas and oceans are called?
Blue color on the globe represents water. What else is there on our planet?
The children answer.
Q: Among the oceans there are large areas of solid land - continents, land. This is the largest continent - Eurasia. This continent is located in the northern part of the globe, closer to the north pole. Here is another continent - Africa. Do you know anything about Africa?
Children's answers.
Q: Africa is located in the middle of the globe, a little closer to the south pole. Now I will show you a very interesting, long land, consisting of two parts. Both of them are connected by a narrow strip, similar to a thin neck. Does anyone know the name of this continent? This is America, guys. It consists of two parts: the upper one is North America, the lower one is South America. These continents stretch across the globe, from the north pole to the south.
Who knows what is at the poles of the globe?
Both poles are the coldest places on earth. There is no land at the North Pole, there is an ocean there, it is always covered with ice. That’s what it’s called – the Arctic Ocean. The south pole is even colder than the north pole. There is land there - the continent of Antarctica.
The last continent remains. It is the smallest - it is Australia. This continent, like a large island, is surrounded on all sides by the ocean.
Look carefully, guys, at our map, or at the globe. What does the globe look like? What is more on our planet Earth, water or land?
Children's answers
Q: Yes, there is much more water, oceans and seas. Who lives in the seas and oceans? Does anyone live on land? Who?
Children's reasoning
Q: Of course, on all continents there are a lot of living beings: plants grow, large and small animals and people live. Many different peoples live on all continents. Only one landmass is uninhabited - Antarctica. Due to the extreme cold, plants do not grow there, and people do not live there permanently either. Only a few animals live in coastal ocean waters.
Q: If the seas and oceans are depicted in blue, then the land, where it is always covered with snow, is white. Wherever it is not too cold and not too hot, many green plants grow, which is why most of the land is depicted in green.
The middle part of the globe is very hot all year round. Is it hot or cold in Africa?
Children answer
B: Yes, it is very hot there. Africa has many deserts covered with sand, practically no water and very few plants. That's why most of Africa is shaded yellow. The south of North America is also full of deserts.
Now you and I know where the poles are on the globe, where the continents are, and where the water is - oceans and seas. This is how colorful our Earth is!
Physical education minute
Q: Where on Earth do you and I live? Where is our continent, where is the place on it that our village occupies? What is it called?
Children's answers
What is the name of our state?
Our state, Russia, is located on this continent (shows on the map). Our country is large and takes up a lot of space on the map. Who knows what the main city in Russia is called?
Answers
That's right, Moscow, look where it is. And here is our village.
Q: Now, guys, I’ll tell you the most important thing! Our planet Earth is in danger! There are many sore spots on it. This happened because people built many plants and factories, power plants, nuclear power plants. These enterprises pollute the air - it is polluted by the smoke that comes out of the chimneys into the sky, and gases from cars. Waste from factories is discharged into rivers and seas and pollutes them; oil from tankers spills into the waters of the seas and oceans during accidents. This is how our planet Earth is polluted, and from this pollution animals and plants die, people get sick. Nature is dying! Our planet Earth is in danger, it must be saved through common efforts.
How can you and I help our planet?
Children's reasoning
To help, you need to learn to love nature, to love it from childhood. Learn to understand how all living beings live: birds, bugs, animals, flowers, blades of grass. This is done by people called ecologists. Do you want to become little ecologists?
Then you and I will try to preserve and protect nature, help living beings, and do good deeds.
I will now show you two places in our country that need to be saved. Far away in Siberia there is Lake Baikal. This is a very beautiful lake. Now it is polluted. People not only in our country, but also in other countries are thinking about how to save it. Look where it is on the globe. Still far from us in the south of our country there is the Aral Sea. There is another problem with it, the water in it becomes less and less every year, it dries out. Now people are also thinking about how to save him.
Do you think our village is in danger?
Q: The biggest problem in our village is garbage! Yes, guys, you noticed correctly, garbage is everywhere, in the forest, on the banks of springs, rivers, near houses.
Guys, please talk to your parents, what is threatening our village and how can we help it?
Children ask questions
Q: You know, guys, I watched you during our lesson and realized that you were very interested in this topic. I will be glad to go with you on a great journey around our planet Earth, and we will answer your main questions: “Why is our planet Earth called the globe?” and “What to do with garbage?” Goodbye, see you again.
How life originated and developed on the planet
For millions of years, planet Earth remained uninhabited. Scientists have found confirmation that living organisms appeared on Earth about 3-4 billion years ago, during the Precambrian period of the Earth's development. Of course, these are not the animals we are used to, but protozoa - microorganisms.
More developed animals and plants appeared later - during a time called the Phanerozoic. This period is divided into 3 eras: Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic. During the Paleozoic, invertebrates, insects and fish appeared; The Mesozoic gave us dinosaurs, and the Cenozoic gave us mammals. This happened more than 65 million years ago, and it is still believed that mammals are the highest stage of development for living organisms. Man is a mammal.
You might be interested in:
Inexplicable, but true: many children adore dinosaurs. If your child also enthusiastically watches cartoons and flips through pictures with these amazing giant creatures, we offer you our article with interesting facts about dinosaurs for children.
Continents and oceans
71% of the Earth's territory is covered with water. The land exists in the form of six continents: Eurasia; Africa; North and South America, Antarctica and Australia. The largest continent is Eurasia, the smallest is Australia.
There are four oceans on Earth. They are connected to each other (this is the so-called World Ocean), but at the same time they differ greatly - in temperature, bottom features, salinity. The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest, the second largest is the Atlantic, the third is the Indian (compared to the Atlantic, it is smaller but deeper). And the smallest is the Arctic Ocean. It is also the coldest because it is located near the North Pole and is partially covered with ice.
On our planet there are four climatic zones - these are territories that seem to encircle the planet. In one zone all over the Earth there are approximately the same conditions for life: temperatures, humidity, precipitation.
The equatorial belt runs through the very center of the Earth. Here the weather hardly changes throughout the year - summer, it rains and about +25 degrees.
There are two tropical zones, they are located on both sides of the equatorial one. It is dry and warm here, but the difference between summer and winter is already obvious: in winter it can be about +15 degrees, but in summer - up to +50.
We are familiar with the climate with cold winters and warm summers. It is typical for temperate zones. There are also two of them, and they are located after the tropical ones in the direction from the equator.
Arctic zones are located at the Earth's poles. It is the coldest here, especially in winter. But even in summer the temperature rarely rises above zero.
Of course, this division is conditional. The climate does not change dramatically when moving from one climate zone to another. There are transition poles: two subequatorial, two subtropical and two subpolar, where the characteristics of neighboring poles appear. If you move smoothly from one belt to another, changes in the weather are practically unnoticeable. But if you fly by plane, you can feel the difference.
The weather in different parts of the Earth depends not only on the distance from the equator, but also on the topography. The main types of relief on Earth are mountains and plains.
In terms of area, plains occupy most of the land. We can see this on a map or globe. Neither of them, plains and mountains, depending on their height, are indicated in green, yellow or brown. The highest mountains are dark brown (Himalayas, Andes, Caucasus).
The highest point of land in the world is Mount Chomolungma in the Himalayas - 8848 meters above sea level. And the lowest is in the ocean, this is the Mariana Trench (11,022 meters below sea level).
Summary of GCD for the senior group on the topic “Our planet-Earth”
Summary of educational activities for familiarization with the outside world in the senior group
(Teacher T.V. Lachin)
Subject:
"Earth Day"
Target:
to form the idea of children that the Earth is our common home, that we must protect it, not destroy our planet, cultivate respect for people of other nationalities, the desire to live in peace and friendship with all peoples.
Tasks:
1. Deepen the understanding that planet Earth is a huge ball, most of which is covered with water. In addition to water, there are continents - solid land - land where people live.
2. Give ideas about people of different races living on our planet.
3. Cultivate friendliness, tolerance towards people of other nationalities, the desire to live without conflicts.
4. Foster the desire to protect our Earth.
Equipment:
SMART equipment.
Progress of the lesson
I
Org.moment
Cosmic music sounds ( There is an image of the planet Earth on the screen.)
—
- Guys, what is shown on the screen?
-This is how astronauts see our planet from space. Why do people fly into space?
-Let's imagine that you and I are going into space on a spaceship. ( There is an image of a spaceship on the screen)
-Let's put on our helmets and fasten our seat belts. Are you ready for space travel? We begin the countdown: 10, 9. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - start!
II
Main part
-What can you and I see through the window of our ship?
(On the screen are photographs of cosmic landscapes)
-Here we meet an unidentified flying object. Who do you think it is? ( On the screen there is an image of an unidentified flying object)
-This is an astronaut from another planet. He wants to meet us. ( There is an image of an alien on the screen.)
-Guys, he is sending us messages. Let's read them. (The teacher opens the messages on the screen one by one and reads them.)
1 .
My name is Zelyaba, I came from the planet Argun.
Who are you? - Guys, what will we answer Zelyaba? (We are people from planet Earth.)
2. Tell me about your planet. What is she like?
—
Let's tell Zelyaba about our planet.
( Map on screen)
Most of the Earth's surface is occupied by water. There are 4 oceans on Earth: Pacific, Atlantic, Ice, Indian. And many seas, rivers and lakes. That's why our planet is called blue.
There are 6 continents on Earth: the largest Eurasia, the smallest Australia, the hottest Africa, the coldest Antarctica and two more “brothers” North and South America. There are forests, deserts, and mountains on Earth. On the map they are indicated in green, yellow and brown. ( The teacher alternately “opens” pictures on the map depicting forests, deserts, mountains)
3. I think your planet is very beautiful. Are there many inhabitants on your planet?
—
7.5 billion
live on our planet .
4.
Are all people on planet Earth like you?
People living in different places on Earth differ from each other in skin color, eye shape and hair type.
- Look at your skin color.
-What is she like? (Light) People like you and me, residents of Europe, America and Australia.
In Europe, the sun rarely shines, it often rains and there are fogs, so people with fair skin and blond hair live here. ( On the screen there are photographs of Caucasian people)
“And there are also people who live in the steppes of Asia, Mongolia, Japan, and the Far North. Strong winds blow there - this is the homeland of people with dark (yellow) skin and narrow eyes. ( On the screen there are photographs of people of the Mongoloid race)
—What kind of people do you think live in Africa?
— It’s hot in Africa, the sun shines brightly there. Dark skin and a thick head of hair protect from its scorching rays. ( On the screen there are photographs of people of the Negroid race)
-We are all different, of course, but still very similar to each other. We have a lot in common. How do you think all children on the planet are alike?
-IN
All children laugh equally when they are happy and cry from resentment and pain.
They love to sing and dance, go to school or kindergarten, love to run and play, watch cartoons or read books. ( On the screen there are children of different nationalities)
5. What do children and adults on your planet dream about?
—
All people dream of friendship and peace, so that there is no war.
6.
What is war?
-And today on Earth there are places where there is war, soldiers, civilians, and children are dying. You've probably seen footage of military operations on TV on the news. What feelings do such news evoke in you? ((Fear, horror, sadness, pity for people) There are photographs of war children on the screen.)
-Every person wants not to have to go through war, so that trouble does not come to the house, so that the bright sun shines and shells do not explode, so that cities do not collapse, so that there are no tears, so that adults and children enjoy life.
-Let us divide into two groups (for example: girls and boys) and try to compose a message for those people who do not want to live in peace and friendship, who are at war. What would we tell them?
III
Phys. minute.
Children stand in a circle and read poetry.
*
Let's people be friends with each other (children hold hands and shake them)
Like birds with the sky, like grass with a meadow, (shake your hands over the naked, then over the floor)
Like the wind with a field, grass with rain, (wave your hands towards yourself, shake off your hands)
How the sun is friends with all of us! (raise your arms up, spin around yourself)
*Let's, people, take care of the planet, (children join hands and walk in a circle)
There is nothing like it in the entire Universe.
In the entire Universe there is one for everyone, (children put their hands on each other’s shoulders, sway)
What will she do without us?
The children return to their seats.
7. Unfortunately, it’s time for me to return to my planet. I will definitely tell the inhabitants of my planet about how beautiful your planet Earth is. And perhaps we will see you again. Take care of your planet! Be happy.
—
It's time for you and me to return to Earth. Let's take off our helmets, unfasten our seat belts, and take a deep breath of clean and fresh air.
Breathing exercises.
Children stand near the chairs.
*"Full breath."
I.p. —
stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart. Take a free deep breath. Hold your breath (as long as it feels good). Exhale vigorously with your mouth open. Breathe out with relief, as if freeing yourself from worries. Repeat 4-5 times.
*"The Scent of Flowers"
I.p. - stand up, put your palms on your chest. Inhale slowly through your nose, trying not to raise your shoulders. Hold your breath and exhale slowly, saying: “A-a-ah!” Repeat 4-5 times.
*«Dandelion».
I.p. —
stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart. Take a free breath and hold your breath slightly. Curl your lips. Take three short sharp exhalations, as if blowing away dandelion fluffs: “Ugh!” Ugh! Ugh!". Keep your torso straight during the exercise. Repeat 4-5 times.
* "Grow big."
I.p. – stand straight, feet together. Raise your arms up, stretch, rise on your toes – inhale; lower your hands down, lower your entire foot - exhale, saying: “U-h-h-h!” Repeat 4-5 times.
-How are you feeling?
- Guys, it’s no coincidence that we started talking about planet Earth today. Today our planet celebrates Earth Day
. Today every person should think about the fact that our planet is our common home. But everyone wants their home to be orderly, cozy and warm. While flying away, Zelyaba asked us to take care of the planet. And what should we protect it from?
-What else, besides war, does our planet suffer from? ( On the screen are photographs of an environmental disaster)
What gift can we give to the planet that it would be pleased to see?
(Plant trees, plant flowers in flower beds, remove garbage and not litter, take care of nature, etc.)
-I would like to end our conversation with a poem. ( One of the children reads a poem.)
*Let's protect anyone from adversity
A large and trusting blue ball!
Come on guys, in spite of the weather
Let's embrace the planet with our round dance,
Let's scatter the clouds and smoke over it,
We won’t let anyone offend her!
-And in conclusion, I propose to create a poster dedicated to Earth Day. (The teacher lays out colored palms, flowers and the base for a poster with the image of the planet Earth pre-cut by the children. The children glue the details onto the base.)
