Exploring Earth Changes

Learning Objective

Students will understand the concept of erosion and identify different natural causes of erosion such as wind, water, and ice. They will explain how erosion changes the earth’s surface over time.

Learning Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 2nd Grade

2-ESS2-1: Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
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 (Reading and Writing in Science)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3: Describe the connection between a series of scientific ideas or steps in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts.

Key Vocabulary

Erosion
Wind
Water
Ice (glacier)
Landscape
Soil
Weathering
Sediment

Hook (Launch, Warm-Up) | 5 minutes

Activity: "Mystery Weather Changes"

Show students a brief picture slideshow of landscapes before and after erosion (e.g., a smooth hill, river banks worn away, sand dunes shaped by wind).
Ask: “What happened to these places? What changed?”
Briefly introduce erosion as the natural process that changes the land.

Learn (Explore)

Mini-Lesson (I Do) | 10 minutes

Use a clear container with soil to demonstrate erosion.
Slowly pour water on one side to show how water moves soil.
Show a small fan blowing on loose soil to simulate wind erosion.
Discuss: What did you see happen to the soil? How do wind and water change the earth?
Draw a simple diagram on the whiteboard showing wind, water, and ice causing soil to move.

Guided Practice (We Do) | 10 minutes

Experiment: Create Erosion Models

In pairs, students use shallow trays filled with soil, a spray bottle of water, and an optional small fan (teacher supervised).
First, spray water on the soil to observe water erosion; then gently blow air or simulate wind.
Students sketch what they see before and after the water or wind touches the soil.
Prompt questions: How did the soil move? What caused the most change?

Independent Practice (You Do) | 10 minutes

Writing & Drawing Activity

Each student draws their own landscape showing two examples of erosion (either wind or water or ice).
Write 2-3 sentences describing how erosion affected their drawing (prompt sentence frame: “The wind/water moved the soil by...”).
Encourage use of vocabulary words and complete sentences.

Closing (Synthesis, Discuss) | 5 minutes

Have a few students share their drawings and explain erosion.
Summarize key points: Erosion changes landscapes by moving soil using wind, water, and ice. People try to slow erosion to protect land.
Ask reflection: How would erosion affect places where you live?

Fluency Focus

Practice oral vocabulary fluency by having students repeat key terms together during mini-lesson and closing.
Use simple chants or claps: “Erosion moves the soil, erosion changes land!”

Differentiation

For students needing support: Provide partially drawn sketches for independent practice. Use sentence starters.
For advanced students: Challenge them to think about ways to prevent erosion and include this in their writing.
Use visual aids and hands-on activities to engage multi-sensory learners.

Assessment

Formative: Observation during experiment and guided practice.
Written: Check students’ drawings and sentences for correct use of vocabulary and understanding of erosion.
Oral: Participation in discussion and fluency activities.

Scale of Erosion (Supplemental Concept)

Introduce the idea that erosion happens slowly over many years or quickly during storms.
Use a simple scale: “A little erosion (slow changes) to a lot of erosion (big changes, fast).”
Relate to real-life examples like a gentle rain vs. a strong flood.

This engaging, hands-on lesson plan is designed to be age-appropriate, aligned with NGSS and Common Core standards, and supports both concept understanding and language development in young scientists.

Teaching Instructions