Changing Landforms Today

Grade Level

2nd Grade

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

15 students

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Describe how landforms like hills and valleys can change over time due to erosion.
• Identify basic processes that cause erosion (water, wind).
• Create a simple diagram illustrating how a landform changes due to erosion.
• Understand cause-and-effect relationships in natural phenomena related to landform changes.

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Standards Alignment

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – 2nd Grade

• NGSS 2-ESS2-1: Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
• NGSS 2-ESS2-2: Develop a model to represent the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water in an area.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

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Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Large drawing paper or poster board (1 per student pair)
• Crayons/colored pencils
• Small containers of soil/sand
• Spray bottles with water
• Small fans or straws (for wind simulation)
• Pre-drawn landform template (hill or mound shape)
• Worksheet for diagramming erosion process (simple boxes with arrows)
• Anchor chart paper listing erosion causes and effects

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Lesson Procedures

1. Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion: “Have you ever seen mud or dirt get washed away or blown by the wind? What do you think happens to the land?”
• Show real-life pictures of hills and valleys before and after erosion.
• Introduce the term erosion and explain that it means land changes shape because soil or rock gets moved by things like water or wind.
• Link to students’ experiences by discussing playground dirt or sand at the beach.

Question to students: “What do you think causes hills to become smaller or valleys to become bigger?”

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2. Exploring Erosion - Hands-on Activity (15 minutes)

• Divide class into 7 pairs.
• Each pair receives soil/sand on their poster board shaped like a small "hill".
• Using spray bottles, simulate rain and observe how water moves soil down the hill.
• Use small fans or blow through straws to simulate wind erosion.
• Students note changes and differences between water and wind effects.

Teacher prompts:

• “What do you see happening to the soil when you spray water?”
• “Does the wind move the soil the same way or differently?”

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3. Diagramming the Erosion Process (12 minutes)

• Hand out erosion diagram worksheet.
• Explain step-by-step how to draw a simple diagram showing the hill before erosion, during erosion (water or wind moving soil), and after erosion.
• Students draw and label each step.
• Model one example on the whiteboard.

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4. Share and Discuss (5 minutes)

• Invite 2-3 pairs to present their diagrams and explain what happened to their landform.
• Reinforce key vocabulary: erosion, landform, water, wind.
• As a class, create an anchor chart listing causes and effects of erosion based on student observations.

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5. Wrap-Up and Assessment (3 minutes)

• Quick oral quiz: “Name one way landforms can change.” “What moves the dirt from one place to another?”
• Collect diagrams and worksheets for review.
• Exit ticket: Each student says or draws one thing they learned about how landforms change.

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Differentiation

• For students needing extra support, provide pre-labeled diagrams and pair them with a peer buddy for drawing.
• Challenge advanced students to think about how humans might help slow erosion and share their ideas during discussions.

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Reflection & Extensions

• Encourage teachers to revisit erosion by observing a nearby natural area over time or after rainstorms.
• Incorporate storytelling by imagining a seed planted on a hill where land is slowly shifting.
• Use technology tools for extended learning by using a simple animation app to show erosion.

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This lesson plan balances hands-on engagement with scientific vocabulary and inquiry, aligned with NGSS and CCSS for Grade 2, tailored to young learners' cognitive and social skills. The interactive activities and diagramming process develop conceptual understanding and communication skills simultaneously.