4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

Which of the following is NOT a way rock is broken down and weathered?

a. freezing and thawing

b. plant roots

c. heat expansion

d. carried away by wind

Correct Answer: d

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

What is the movement of weathered materials called?

a. ice wedging

b. erosion

c. weathering

d. evaporation

Correct Answer: b

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

What general direction does erosion move Earth materials?

a. toward the mountains

b. into cities

c. downward

d. upward

Correct Answer: c

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

What forms after a rock has been weathered over many years?

a. soil

b. a stream

c. valleys

d. a lake

Correct Answer: a

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

When are soils most likely to erode?

a. when they are moist

b. when they are deep

c. when the plant cover is gone

d. at night or on cloudy days

Correct Answer: c

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

Which of the following shows that soil erosion is happening?

a. The soil is deep and grows grass on top.

b. The soil has deep gullies.

c. A forest of pine trees grows in the soil.

d. Pavement is place on the soil for a road.

Correct Answer: b

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

A water truck keeps the soil wet at a construction site. Why?

a. to keep the soil from blowing away

b. to keep the workers cool

c. to help new plants grow when they are planted

d. it looks better when it is wet

Correct Answer: a

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

A home has a sloping backyard. The family puts in retaining walls made of large boulders part way down the hill. Why?

a. They look nice.

b. They keep soil in place.

c. To improve the view.

d. To keep things from rolling.

Correct Answer: b

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

A piece of rock from a mountaintop is found on a beach near an ocean. What is this an example of?

a. active movement

b. weathering

c. ice wedging

d. erosion

Correct Answer: d

E

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

Name or describe three examples of erosion in our area.

Correct Answer:

Answers will vary.

E

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

How does water help to weather rock?

Correct Answer:

Water can dissolve rock or it can freeze in a crack, expand and enlarge the crack.

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Correct Answer:

Weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces. Erosion is when it is carried away.

4^th Grade

Standard: 03

Objective: 02. Explain how the processes of weathering and erosion form and move materials

that form soils.

ILO:

Soil Erosion

Activity Description:

Students will compare erosion occurring on two soil surfaces, one with plant cover and one without.

Materials Needed:

pie plates or cake pans(any dish with a 1-3 inch rim), soil, sod, watering can, transparent cups, copies of worksheet

Prior to Assessment:

Students should know that erosion is the process of weathered materials(soil) moving from one place to another. They should be familiar with the scientific method.

Time Needed for Assessment:

two hours, or two 1-hour periods on different days

Procedure:

1. Introduce students to the research question "How does the surface of the soil affect how it erodes?" This experiment can be done in individual groups by students or as a demonstration by the teacher.

2. Describe how the problem will be tested. A control pan with soil firmly packed in it will have a cup of water sprinkled over it with a watering can or other means. The pan needs to be placed at a tilt so that the water runs off. The run off water should be collected in a transparent cup and allowed to settle.

3. Have students make a hypothesis concerning the addition of sod to the pan. They should write an ÒIf, thenÓ statement. Ex. If we add sod, then less water and soil will run off.

4. A piece of sod cut from a lawn (it can be done in winter or summer, it doesnÕt matter if the grass is green) should be fitted into another pan of the same size or the same pan. It should fill the pan to the same level as the control did. Once again, a cup of water should be poured on it and the residue collected.

5. The two cups collected should be compared. Students may draw them for their ÒdataÓ. The amount of soil should be noted.

6. Challenge the students to bring in other materials that can cover the soil surface. They may have seen netting next to highways used to control erosion or retaining walls.

7. Students should write additional hypotheses as they develop their own experiment. They should carry out their experiment and record the results. The experiment can be finished by asking the students questions.

8. Students should write a conclusion that includes an evaluation of their hypothesis. Ex. My hypothesis was correct, if you add sod to the soil it will erode less.

Correct Answers:

1. bare soil; probably sod

2. increases water absorption

3. clear plants off land for buildings, farms

4. keep soils covered

Scoring Guide:

1. Student makes a hypothesis for every experiment performed...................5 pts

2. Students draws data for each experiment.................................................5 pts

3. Student correctly answers questions.........................................................5 pts

4. Student writes a conclusion.....................................................................3 pts

Sample worksheet:

Soil Erosion

Research Question:

How does the surface of the soil affect how it erodes?

Procedure:

1. Two pans will have soil in them. One will have bare soil the other will have sod from a lawn.

2. Water will be poured on the top of each and the pan will be tilted.

3. Water that runs off will be collected in a cup.

4. Design your own soil surface. You may shape it or put something on it. Write down what you will do and then perform the experiment.

Hypothesis:

If soil is left bare, then (more, less, or the same?) water will run off?

Data:

Drawing of experiment:

Your Experiment:

Procedure:

Hypothesis:

Data:

Drawing of your experiment:

Questions:

1. Which soil surface eroded the most? least?

2. A surface that protects the soil will help prevent soil erosion. What does it do for the amount of water absorbed by the soil?

3. What do people do that increases soil erosion?

4. How can people prevent soil erosion?

Conclusion:

Look at your hypothesis and see if you were right. Write a sentence than sums up the experiments.