Weathering and Erosion

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

This is pretty amazing!

• What do you think cut out the stone in this canyon?

• Do you ever wonder why certain landforms look the way they do?

The earth's surface is shaped by wind and water through two different processes called weathering and erosion!

Weathering can take place over tens, hundreds, and even thousands of years, or its effects can be seen in a few minutes! Any weather, such as the sun, freezing temperatures, and even rain is considered weathering when it shapes the land.

Weathering wears down rock and breaks it into smaller pieces. Then erosion can take place.

Erosion is the movement of the rock that has been broken down by the weathering process. Wind, water, and gravity move and carry rock particles from one place to another. That’s erosion!

Watch Weathering and Erosion: Crash Course Kids #10.2 (below):

Now you know the basics of weathering and erosion!

• Can you think of 3 examples of how water and wind change the shape of the land?

Watch this Magic School Bus episode about weathering and erosion called Rocks and Rolls Mountains (below) for more ideas:

When you are finished, move on to the Got It? section!