Begin with a captivating story or image showing a landscape that has changed over time due to weathering. Discuss how these changes occur slowly and are part of Earth's natural processes.
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Weathering
Learning Objectives
- Understand the concept of weathering as a slow process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces.
- Identify different natural elements and processes, such as water and plant roots, that contribute to weathering.
- Recognize human and animal activities that can accelerate the process of weathering.
- Describe how weathering contributes to the changing surface of the Earth over time.
Introduction and Hook
Introduce the concept of weathering by explaining how water, plants, and animals contribute to this process.
Direct Instruction
Explain the process of weathering using examples like water freezing in rock cracks and plant roots breaking rocks.
Use the 'Bryce Canyon National Park – Virtual Field Trip' video to show real-life examples of weathering and erosion. This video provides a vivid demonstration of how natural forces shape landscapes over time.
Guided Exploration
Engage students in a discussion about how human activities like mining and farming can accelerate weathering.
Encourage students to identify examples of weathering in their local environment and discuss how these changes affect the landscape.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct a simple experiment where students observe the effects of water freezing and expanding in rock cracks using sponges and water.
Use the 'Make a Model of a Volcano' assessment to simulate volcanic activity and discuss how it contributes to weathering and changes to the Earth's surface.
Independent Practice
Assign students to create a journal entry or drawing that depicts a landscape before and after weathering.
Have students complete the 'Preventing Floods' assessment to apply their understanding of weathering and erosion in designing solutions.
Check for Understanding
Conduct a class discussion to review the different types of weathering and the factors that contribute to it.
Use the 'Changes to the Earth’s Surface Over Time' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of weathering and erosion.
Review and Reflection
Have students reflect on how weathering impacts the environment and human life. Encourage them to share their thoughts in a class discussion.
Ask students to write a short paragraph summarizing what they learned about weathering and its effects on Earth's surface.
Assessment and Extension
Administer the 'Human Changes to the Earth’s Surface' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of human impact on weathering.
Encourage students to explore further by researching a famous geological site affected by weathering and presenting their findings to the class.
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