Erosion and weathering
Make observations and measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Weathering breaks down or changes rock in place. Erosion moves material. Deposition leaves moved material in a new place. Water, ice, wind, and living things can act in different ways. A paper model can show separation and movement, but it cannot measure a natural erosion rate. Safety: Keep paper off the floor. Do not use dust, soil, fans, or mouths to move particles. Stop: Stop after one map and four cases. No blowing powders, running water experiments, freezing containers, or rock breaking.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Pencil
- One scrap sheet to tear
- Ruler
Extra for the adult
Worked example. A paper piece moves from 0 to 10 cm. Answer: this models transport, so it represents erosion. Tearing at 0 cm represents physical weathering instead because the smaller pieces stay where the original was. Neither action makes real rock.
Optional challenge. Explain how a root can also reduce erosion by holding soil together; one agent can have different effects.
What to notice. Keep the map and distance table. Note help measuring, moving pieces, or deciding which process occurred.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
USGS · Practice link — not the full lesson
This Dynamic Earth: Plate Tectonics
Before you open · source notes
This Dynamic Earth: Plate Tectonics supports Erosion and weathering. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public USGS page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
USGS. “This Dynamic Earth: Plate Tectonics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Define weathering (breaking down of rock in place) and erosion (movement of broken rock/soil, which is dropped elsewhere as deposition)
- Describe the effects of at least three agents of weathering/erosion: water, ice, wind, vegetation
- Provide evidence from observations showing how weathering or erosion has changed a landscape
“Can your child look at a crumbling cliff or a river bank and explain how water, wind, or ice has slowly worn away the rock or soil over time?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Earth's Systems
- Age range
- Ages 9–11
Standards