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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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.
  1. Is this rock permeable or impermeable: limestone? (permeable (lets water through) / impermeable (does not let water through)) → permeable (lets water through)Prompt: Does water soak in, or run off the surface?
  2. What is soil made from? (only dead leaves / tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and water / only sand / melted rock) → tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and waterPrompt: Soil forms slowly from broken-down rock.
  3. Rocks and soils: which statement is NOT true? (Rocks can be natural or made by people, like brick and concrete. / Soil is only made of dead leaves. / Soil contains bits of rock and organic matter. / Some rocks let water soak through them.) → Soil is only made of dead leaves.Prompt: What is soil mainly made of?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. 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?
  2. 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.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What is the difference between weathering and erosion? (Weathering moves rocks to the sea / Erosion only happens in deserts / Weathering breaks rock down; erosion carries the pieces away / They are exactly the same) → Weathering breaks rock down; erosion carries the pieces awayPrompt: One breaks, the other moves.
  2. 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?

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

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Weathering and erosion

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which type of weathering is this: rabbits burrowing into soft rock?

    • A. physical weathering
    • B. chemical weathering
    • C. biological weathering

  2. Question 2

    Which can carry rock fragments away (erosion)?

    • A. only plants
    • B. rivers, wind and glaciers
    • C. only sunlight
    • D. nothing moves rocks

  3. Question 3

    Which type of weathering is this: water freezing and expanding in cracks?

    • A. physical weathering
    • B. chemical weathering
    • C. biological weathering

  4. Question 4

    What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

    • A. They are exactly the same
    • B. Weathering moves rocks to the sea
    • C. Weathering breaks rock down; erosion carries the pieces away
    • D. Erosion only happens in deserts

  5. Question 5

    Which happens quickly rather than over a long time?

    • A. a river valley widening
    • B. a canyon forming
    • C. a mountain wearing down
    • D. a landslide

  6. Question 6

    Which landform is mainly carved by a river over a very long time?

    • A. an island
    • B. a canyon
    • C. a sand dune
    • D. a volcano

  7. Question 7

    Which type of weathering is this: tree roots growing into cracks?

    • A. physical weathering
    • B. chemical weathering
    • C. biological weathering

  8. Question 8

    Which type of weathering is this: acid rain dissolving limestone?

    • A. physical weathering
    • B. chemical weathering
    • C. biological weathering

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Answer key: Weathering and erosion

  1. 1. C. biological weathering

  2. 2. B. rivers, wind and glaciers

  3. 3. A. physical weathering

  4. 4. C. Weathering breaks rock down; erosion carries the pieces away

  5. 5. D. a landslide

  6. 6. B. a canyon

  7. 7. C. biological weathering

  8. 8. B. chemical weathering