Weathering and Erosion

Grade Level

6th Grade

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

30 students

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Unit

Exploring Earth's Wonders (Lesson 5 of 15)

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Learning Objectives

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

• Explain the processes of weathering and erosion and their effects on Earth's landscapes.
• Identify different causes of weathering (physical, chemical) and erosion (water, wind, ice).
• Conduct simple experiments to observe weathering and erosion in action.
• Analyze the impact of weathering and erosion on soil and rock over time.
• Communicate their observations and findings clearly through discussion and written explanation.

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Standards Alignment

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) - Integrated with Common Core

• MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time scales.
• MS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - English Language Arts Integration

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 6 topics.

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Materials Needed

• Two transparent plastic containers or boxes (approx. 12"x 12")
• Soil, small rocks, sand
• Water spray bottles
• Small ice cubes
• Plastic spoons or rulers
• Paper towels
• Journals or science notebooks
• Chart paper or whiteboard for group discussion
• Markers
• Timer or stopwatch

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Engage (10 minutes)

• Career Connection Introduction:
  • Begin by discussing how careers in geology, environmental science, and civil engineering rely on understanding weathering and erosion.
  • Ask students: “How do you think changes in the Earth’s surface affect where we build roads or houses? What jobs might study these changes?”
• Show images of landscapes altered by weathering and erosion (cliffs, riverbanks, mountain faces).
• Ask students to turn and talk with a partner about what they notice and predict what might have caused the changes.

2. Explore (20 minutes)

• Experiment Setup:
  • Divide students into 6 groups of 5.
  • Each group sets up two containers: one with soil, rocks and sand (representing a landscape), and the other with soil and ice cubes on top.
  • One group uses a spray bottle to simulate rainfall; one group simulates wind erosion by gently blowing over the soil; one group repeatedly pretends to walk across soil simulating human impact.
• Guided Experiment Tasks:
  • Observe changes in soil and rock placement for 10 minutes.
  • Record observations in their science notebooks. Prompt guiding questions:
    • What happens to the soil and rocks when water or ice interacts with the soil?
    • How does blowing or ‘stepping’ impact soil movement?
  • Measure and record any soil displacement or rock movement using rulers.

3. Explain (15 minutes)

• Collect and discuss group observations.
• Define weathering (physical and chemical) and erosion (water, wind, ice) with clear examples from experiments.
• Use chart paper to classify observations under Weathering or Erosion.
• Discuss how these processes can cause slow or rapid changes in the environment.
• Connect to real-world examples: road damage, landslides, and soil loss in farming.

4. Elaborate (10 minutes)

• Career Development Focus:
  • Introduce how scientists & engineers monitor weathering and erosion to help communities plan for natural disasters and protect land.
  • Students role-play as environmental scientists who must present their findings from the experiment and recommend ways to reduce erosion.
• In pairs, students write 3-4 sentences explaining their experiment results and suggest one method to protect soil from erosion.

5. Evaluate (5 minutes)

• Quick exit ticket prompt:
  “Describe one way weathering changes the Earth and one way erosion moves soil or rock. Why is it important to understand these processes?”
• Collect and review responses for understanding.

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Classroom Management Tips

• Clearly assign roles (recorder, observer, reporter) within each group to promote engagement.
• Use timers for each activity to maintain pacing.
• Circulate during experiments to ask probing questions and check for understanding.
• Encourage all students to participate during group discussions.

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Differentiation

• For ELLs: Provide vocabulary cards with definitions and pictures for terms like weathering, erosion, physical weathering, chemical weathering.
• For students needing additional support: Pair them with peers who can support reading/writing during note-taking.
• Challenge opportunity: Students can design a mini experiment using different materials (like chalk or gravel) to compare erosion rates.

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Reflection and Extension Ideas

• Assign students to observe a local outdoor environment and document signs of weathering or erosion over a week.
• Invite a local geologist or environmental engineer to speak about managing soil and land.
• Follow-up lesson could focus on soil conservation methods or the impact of human activity on landscapes.

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This lesson plan integrates hands-on scientific inquiry with career awareness and communication skills, helping 6th graders grasp earth science concepts while connecting learning to real-world applications.