12/9/21, 6:54 PM Lesson Plan: Weathering | Education World

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Subject: Science
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Grade: 4

Lesson Objective: To understand the e ects of di erent types of weathering

Next Gen Science Standard: 4-ESS2-1. Make observations and/or measurements to

provide evidence of the e ects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or
vegetation.

Materials Needed:

Pie tin lled with dirt, soil or sand

Cookie sheet
Pitcher of water

Starter:

Say:

What are some of the ways that land can change over time? (Allow the students to
answer.)

Main:

Say:

Changes that occur to land over time can happen because of weathering
and erosion.
Weathering is the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on the
surface of the Earth. Water, ice, salts, plants and changes in temperature all
cause weathering.

Erosion is when earth is worn away by water, wind or ice.

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12/9/21, 6:54 PM Lesson Plan: Weathering | Education World
Weathering and erosion are constantly happening. Scientists make observations and
take measurements to help them know how quickly changes are happening.

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 One type of weathering happens when water freezes and thaws. When it rains,
water goes into the cracks of rocks. Then, as it gets cold, the water freezes in the
rocks.
We know that water expands as it freezes, so it pushes the rock apart. Little
pieces of rock come o and are carried away by water or wind.

Another type of weathering happens because of running water. As water

moves, it breaks down the stone or dirt that the water is running on and moves
it along.
One type of erosion happens because of wind. Wind blows across the land
and moves sand, dirt and small rocks. The faster and harder the wind blows,
the more erosion that happens.
We are now going to do an experiment so that you can see how weathering
and erosion happen.
I have a pie tin full of dirt and a pitcher of water. I also have a cookie sheet. We
are going to hold the pie tin at an angle and then pour a little water onto it.

You are going to look and make observations about what is happening. You will
then write those observations down.
Does anyone have any questions?

Feedback:

Say:

Who would like to share what you observed? (Allow the students to share.)

Written by Kimberly Greacen, Education World® Contributing Writer

Kimberly is an educator with extensive experience in curriculum writing and developing

instructional materials to align with Common Core State Standards and Bloom's Taxonomy.

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