Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes
Weathering and erosion
Earth and rocks
CCSS NGSS.4-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.2-ESS1-1England: KS2 Y3 RocksEngland: KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere (rock cycle)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Weathering and erosion.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Rocks and soils
Leads to: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; Weathering, erosion or deposition?; Physical, chemical and biological weathering
Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Rocks and soils). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Is this rock permeable or impermeable: granite? (permeable (lets water through) / impermeable (does not let water through)) → impermeable (does not let water through)Prompt: Does water soak in, or run off the surface?
- How can you test which rock is hardest? (weigh them / look at their colour / smell them / try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nail) → try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nailPrompt: A harder rock is more difficult to scratch.
- Rocks and soils: which statement is NOT true? (All rocks are the same. / Some rocks let water soak through them. / Soil contains bits of rock and organic matter. / Rocks can be natural or made by people, like brick and concrete.) → All rocks are the same.Prompt: What is soil mainly made of?
Hook · 3 min
- Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
- Share the objective: Weathering and erosion. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which type of weathering is this: rocks heating by day and cooling at night?
- Step 1: Physical weathering breaks rock into pieces without changing what it is made of.
- Step 2: So the answer is: physical weathering
- Answer: physical weathering
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which type of weathering is this: water freezing and expanding in cracks? (physical weathering / chemical weathering / biological weathering) → physical weatheringPrompt: Is it caused by temperature and ice, by a chemical reaction, or by living things?
- Which landform is mainly carved by a river over a very long time? (a sand dune / a canyon / an island / a volcano) → a canyonPrompt: The Grand Canyon was cut by the Colorado River.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which type of weathering is this: tree roots growing into cracks? (physical weathering / chemical weathering / biological weathering) → biological weatheringPrompt: Is it caused by temperature and ice, by a chemical reaction, or by living things?
- Which landform is mainly carved by a river over a very long time? (a canyon / a sand dune / a volcano / an island) → a canyonPrompt: The Grand Canyon was cut by the Colorado River.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Rocks and soils.
- Use concrete materials: rock samples.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; Weathering, erosion or deposition?; Physical, chemical and biological weathering.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder