Earth Detective Mode! How Do You Think Like One?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do you think like an Earth detective?

The Big Idea

Earth is full of clues. Cliffs, hills, and rocks all have stories to tell! An Earth detective reads layers, slopes, and scars. Every hill has a before and an after. Read the layers, and leave the hill as you found it!

Step 1

Step one: notice the shape. Look at the whole land. Is it steep or flat? Is there a valley, a cliff, or a curve? Shapes are clues to what happened.

Step 2

Step two: name the layer or scar. Look closely for stripes of rock, cracks, or scratches. Write down what you see, and what color it is. Draw a small sketch in your notebook.

Step 3

Step three: ask what moved. What could have made this? Water, ice, wind, a volcano, or shaking ground? Then check a map or sign, and always leave it for the next kid.

A Closer Look

Here is a detective's kit. A labeled notebook holds your notes. The layers are your clue. The trail keeps you safe, and the grown-up walks with you.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Layers of rock are like pages in a book. The lower pages are usually older. Scientists who study the Earth are called geologists. A good detective writes down what they see, and doesn't guess without a clue. Grown-up note: national parks are great classrooms. Stay on the path, and go with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Try this with a grown-up. Pick one landscape from this expedition, like a canyon, a cave, or a volcano. Write one why-question about it. What clue would make your answer stronger?

Outro

So an Earth detective looks, asks, and leaves things as they found them. On to the next expedition, about the first people! Amazing, right? Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!