Intro to Earth Science: Lab Safety, Scientific Method & SI Units Unit | MS Earth Science

Click here to download preview of Intro to Earth Science unit.

This unit is included in the Earth Science Curriculum 5E Model.

Teach the scientific method, Earth science basics, SI units, and essential lab safety skills with this comprehensive Intro to Earth Science Unit designed for middle school classrooms.

This complete introductory unit includes full lessons, notes, interactive notebook activities, labs, safety contracts, stations, task cards, word walls, and assessments—everything you need for a zero-prep start to the school year.

Perfect for grades 6–8, this resource helps students build foundational Earth science skills, measurement accuracy, safety awareness, and confidence with hands-on scientific investigations.

Aligned to NGSS Middle School Science (Science & Engineering Practices + MS-ESS1–MS-ESS3 foundations) for inquiry skills, methods of science, and introductory Earth science concepts.

⭐ What’s Included

• PowerPoints for:
  • The Study of Earth Science
  • Science Lab Safety Contract
  • Methods of Science
• Student Notes (print + digital)
• Interactive Notebook Activities (print + digital)
• Mini-Quizzes + Digital Assessments
• Teacher Demo: Eye Safety
• Guided Inquiry Lab: Measure with SI Units
• Science Stations (2 days)
• Creation Station STEM Challenge
• Task Cards (print + digital)
• Study Guide
• Final Chapter Assessment
• Word Wall in English & Spanish
• QR Codes to free online textbook for student access
• 9-day pacing guide
• All answer keys included

⭐ Key Concepts Covered

• What Earth science is (geology, meteorology, astronomy, oceanography)
• Science safety rules & lab expectations
• Reading and completing a safety contract
• Measurement using SI units (mass, length, volume, temperature)
• Precision, accuracy & measurement tools
• Steps of the scientific method
• Variables, controls, and data collection
• Interpreting data in graphs & tables
• Setting up a successful science notebook

⭐ Why Teachers Love This Unit

• The perfect first unit for ANY middle school science course
• Builds all essential safety and inquiry skills early
• Clear, student-friendly lessons with strong visuals
• Hands-on measurement lab reinforces real scientific practices
• Word Wall in English & Spanish supports multilingual learners
• QR codes make accessing content simple and fast
• Zero prep — just print or assign and teach

⭐ Ideal For

• First unit of the school year
• Earth science introduction
• Lab safety week
• Scientific method lessons
• Blended learning or digital classrooms
• NGSS-aligned instruction
• Interactive notebooks + stations teaching

⭐ Suggested Pacing Guide – Intro to Earth Science (9 Days)

Day 1: Teacher Demo – Eye Safety; Section 1 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 2: Section 1 Mini-Quiz; Section 2 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 3: Section 2 Mini-Quiz; Guided Inquiry Lab – Measure with SI Units
Day 4: Section 3 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 5: Section 3 Mini-Quiz; Science Stations
Day 6: Science Stations
Day 7: Creation Station Final Draft + Testing
Day 8: Task Cards + Study Guide
Day 9: Chapter Assessment

Copyright © NGS Magnified, LLC. All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón.  All NGS Magnified curriculum is creative property of Erica Colón and cannot be resold or distributed.  This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.