SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
WEEK 4 - changes to the earth
This unit was developed with the Next Generation Science Standards in mind and includes Social Emotional Learning competencies. Also, it was designed with forth and sixth grade standards and competencies in mind. However, it can be used for second-through-sixth graders.
These activities are listed in their recommended order. This order will help to deepen student understanding by building on concepts from activity to activity. However, they were also designed to provide students with enough information that they will make sense on their own.
Download Changes to the Earth Teacher’s Guide with suggestions for differentiation of lessons and additional notes. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.
What is Weathering?
ROCKIN’ AND ROLLIN’
This video introduces the concept of "weathering" through an engaging demonstration. To go with the video, you’ll find a student activity guide that encourages them to make detailed observations.
Download Rockin’ and Rollin’ Answer Key
Download Rockin’ and Rollin’ Activity Page
Spanish Rockin’ and Rollin’ Activity Page
Types of Weathering
This video introduces students to the four main types of weathering. Students observe the effects of the four types of weathering at Deer Creek Hills in Sacramento, California.
The Types of Weathering activity page encourages students to record the effects of the four types of weathering as they watch the video. Students apply this knowledge by matching photos of rocks to the four types of weathering.
Download Types of Weathering Answer Key
Download Types of Weathering Activity Page
Spanish Types of Weathering Activity Page
Rock Sculptures
This activity guides students to create playdough models of rocks based on their knowledge of the 4 types of weathering.
Download Rock Sculptures Activity Guide
Spanish Rock Sculptures Activity Guide
Examples of Weathering
In the downloadable file, you’ll find photos of rocks weathered by wind, water, vegetation, and freeze-thaw. This handout can supplement all weathering activities and is a helpful visual of the various types of weathering.
Download Examples of Weathering
Spanish Examples of Weathering
All About Erosion
Exploring Erosion
This video introduces the concept of erosion. Students learn about some factors that affect the rate of erosion through an interactive demonstration. Also, the video includes instructions for trying the experiment at home.
Download Exploring Erosion Activity Page
Spanish Exploring Erosion Activity Page
Sediment Tag
This activity page provides instructions and reflection questions for an engaging game that teaches students about erosion. They will also learn how vegetation can help to reduce erosion.
Download Sediment Tag Activity Page
Spanish Sediment Tag Activity Page
Scales of Change to the Earth
Timeline of the Earth
This activity page provides instructions for a hands-on activity to help students visualize the timeline of important events in the history of the Earth. Students read cards about important events and place them around a clock to visualize the geologic timeline.
Download Timeline of the Earth Activity Page
Spanish Timeline of the Earth Activity Page
Life Story of a Rock
Encourage students to make observations of a rock using the activity page. Students are challenged to think about how their rock has changed over time, and write a story to describe the changes their rock has undergone.
Download Life Story of a Rock Activity Page
Spanish Life Story of a Rock Activity Page
How Quickly Does the Earth Change?
This activity page includes written instructions for a card sort that helps students to think about the rate of various natural and human-caused changes to the Earth. Reflection questions guide students to think about how people can reduce their impact on the Earth.
Download How Quickly Does the Earth Change Answer Key
Download How Quickly Does the Earth Change Activity Page
Spanish How Quickly Does the Earth Change Activity Page
Visit this link to do an interactive online activity sorting geologic changes from slowest to fastest:
Card Sort Activity
Observing Changes to the Earth
Chocolate Tectonics
Students explore plate tectonics interactions and fault lines by creating a model made of melted white chocolate chips.
Download Chocolate Tectonics Activity Page
Spanish Tectonics Activity Page
Trace Fossil Activity
Students create their own trace fossil with homemade clay and items found in nature.
Download Trace Fossil Activity Page
Spanish Trace Fossil Activity Page
Meet a Rock
This activity page includes instructions for a game the encourages students to explore using senses other than sight to make detailed observations of a rock.
Download Meet a Rock Activity Page
Spanish Meet a Rock Activity Page
Rock Journaling
This guide provides instructions for students to engage in the scientific practice of nature journaling. Students are guided to observe a rock and make detailed drawings and notes of their observations. They are also taught to consider how their rock may have been weathered over time based on evidence they have recorded in their drawing.
Download Rock Journaling Overview
Spanish Rock Journaling Overview
This activity page includes instructions for a game the encourages students to explore using senses other than sight to make detailed observations of a rock.
Download Rock Journaling Activity Page
Spanish Rock Journaling Activity Page
Rock Sort
Students gather rocks and sort them based on what the rocks have in common.
Download Rock Sort Activity Page
Spanish Rock Sort Activity Page
Download Rock Sort Cards
Supplemental Activities
Cookie Mining
Students learn about coal mining and use chocolate chip cookies, paper clips and toothpicks to “mine” the chocolate chips while trying to keep as much of the surrounding cookie in-tact.
Download Cookie Mining Activity Page
Spanish Cookie Mining Activity Page
Moon Phases
Explore the phases of the moon by creating a model of the sun and moon with household items.
Download Moon Phases Activity Page
Spanish Moon Phases Activity Page
Thank you for supporting Changes to the Earth science lessons for students.
