Changing Cliff Science

Learning Objective

Students will describe how a cliff changes over time due to natural forces such as weathering and erosion.

Learning Standards

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
  2-ESS2-1 Earth's Systems: Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
• Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Literacy:
  RI.2.1 – Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
  SL.2.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations about grade 2 topics.

Key Vocabulary

• Cliff
• Erosion
• Weathering
• Sediment
• Water flow
• Wind
• Change

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Hook (Launch, Warm-Up) — 5 Minutes

Activity: Show a time-lapse video or a series of pictures of a cliff over time showing changes (e.g., erosion or weathering effects).
Prompt: "What do you notice about this cliff? How is it different from the first picture to the last?"
Purpose: Engage curiosity and activate prior knowledge about natural changes.

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Learn (Explore)

Mini-lesson (I Do) — 10 Minutes

Explanation: Using a large poster or smartboard, illustrate what a cliff is, what weathering and erosion mean, and how wind, water, and temperature can change a cliff over time.

• Show a simple diagram labeling parts of the cliff and forces acting on it.
• Explain how rainwater can make cracks bigger and wind can blow away tiny pieces.
• Use a short story format: “Imagine a strong wind and raining days, how do you think the cliff will look after many seasons?”

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Guided Practice (We Do) — 10 Minutes

Activity: Hands-On Model

• Provide small containers with soil and sand to each pair of students.
• Demonstrate how pouring water slowly over ‘cliffs’ made of soil causes little pieces to wash away.
• Have students predict what they think will happen, then test by gently pouring water and observing.
• Discuss observations: Where did the soil go? How did the shape of the ‘cliff’ change?
• Use guiding questions to emphasize the vocabulary and concepts.
  This practice develops observation and connects physical changes in landforms to erosion.

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Independent Practice (You Do) — 10 Minutes

Worksheet / Drawing Activity:

• Students draw their own cliff before and after erosion.
• Prompt them to label the parts like “cliff,” “wind,” and “water.”
• Write one sentence describing how their cliff changed.
  This task encourages individual synthesis of concepts and vocabulary.

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Closing (Synthesis, Discuss) — 5 Minutes

• Invite a few students to share their drawings and describe the changes they drew.
• Recap key vocabulary and the concept: “How does water or wind change a cliff?”
• Connect to real life: "Have you seen a place outside that changes because of rain or wind?"

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Fluency Focus

During all activities, emphasize speaking and listening by encouraging students to use key vocabulary in full sentences during discussions to improve oral language fluency.

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Differentiation

• For students needing extra support: Provide vocabulary cards with pictures. Partner students for Independent Practice.
• For advanced learners: Challenge them to think about solutions to slow down erosion (e.g., planting grass).
• Use visual aids and hands-on materials to cater to diverse learning styles.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observations during Guided Practice; participation in discussions.
• Summative: Completed drawings and sentences from Independent Practice reviewed with a simple rubric assessing understanding of erosion and vocabulary use.
• Exit Ticket: One sentence answering “How does the cliff change?” to check comprehension.

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This lesson aligns strongly with NGSS 2-ESS2-1 and Common Core literacy standards, engaging students with multisensory experiences and meaningful discourse to develop foundational earth science understandings and language skills.