changes to the Earth
fourth Grade Lessons
This unit was developed featuring Southern and Rural Nevada environments using Next Generation Science Standards. This unit was designed for fourth grade and focuses on the NGSS standards 4-ESS2-1: Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation. However, it can be used for other grade levels and areas as well.
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 Environmental Changes Teacher’s Guide with additional notes and timing for each lesson. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.
Types of weathering
Have your students watch the 4-minute video where they will observe the effects of the four types of weather. Then, download activity page (link below); it encourages students to record the effects of the four types of weathering. Students apply this knowledge by matching photos of rocks to the four types of weathering.
Download Types of Weathering Activity Page
Spanish Types of Weathering Activity Page
NGSS: 4-ESS2-1: Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
Select one of the two activities below
Erosion in the Great Basin
NGSS: 4-ESS2-1: Make observations or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
This activity page guides students through an experiment to observe how wild horses can change the land and effect erosion.
Download Erosion in the Great Basin Activity Page
Spanish Erosion in the Great Basin Activity Page
Formation of Red Rock Canyon
NGSS: 4-ESS2-1: Make observations or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
Students will conduct an experiment to learn about the effects of chemical weathering by placing rocks in carbonated water or soda, and tap water. They will compare them through a scratch test and visual comparison. This is to provide them context to understand that the rocks are red in Red Rock Canyon due to the oxidation of the iron in them
Rock Journaling
NGSS: 4-ESS2-1: Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
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. Students are guided to consider how their rock may have been weathered over time based on evidence they have recorded in their drawing.
Download Rock Journaling Activity Page
Spanish Rock Journaling Activity Page
Life Story of a Rock
NGSS: 4-ESS2-1: Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
This activity page encourages students to make observations of a rock. 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
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