Natural Resources

Engage

What are natural resources?

Discuss this question
and share your thinking with
your partner.

Engage

How do we use natural resources?
If you can, discuss this question and
share your thinking with someone.
Record your thoughts in your
science notebook.

Explain

Natural resources are used to make
food, fuel and raw materials for the
production of goods. All of the food
that people eat comes from plants or
animals. Natural resources such as
coal, natural gas, and oil provide heat,
light, and power.

Explain

A natural resource is
something that is found in
nature and can be used by
people. Earth's natural
resources include sunlight,
air, water, plants, animals,
soil, stone, and fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels include petroleum
(oil), coal, and natural gas.
These materials are called
fossil fuels because, like
fossils, they are the remains
of dead plants and animals
that lived long ago.

Explore

Look at the image
and identify all the
natural resources.

Elaborate

Question about what you just learned...

Are animals, birds, fish, and plants natural resources?

A. No, because animals, birds, and fish are not made from the Earth.

B. Yes, because any natural substance that humans use can be considered a natural resource.