“Know – Understand – Do” Organizer
Course: Science
Grade(s): 6th
Topic: Weathering, Erosion, Deposition Unit
School/District: Glynn County
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Which Standards are students learning in this unit?
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption,
gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).
h. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material
By the end of this unit, students will be able to…….
Know
Weathering is the process that
breaks down rock and other
substances at Earth’s surface.
The factors that affect the
speed of weathering.
Physical (or mechanical)
weathering includes frost
wedging, exfoliation, and
thermal expansion.
Understand
Weathering is the process that
breaks down rock and other
substances at Earth’s surface.
Erosion is the movement of
rock particles by agents of
erosion.
Deposition occurs where the
agents (forces) of erosion lay
down sediment.
Chemical weathering includes • Weathering and erosion wear
dissolution (soluble rocks and down, and deposition fills in
minerals dissolve in acidic
the Earth’s surface.
waters), hydrolysis (feldspars
alter to clay), and oxidation
(rusting of iron).
Although weathered rock is
the basic component of soil,
Biological weathering the composition and texture of
organisms can assist in
soil and its fertility and
breaking rocks down - tree
resistance to erosion are
roots, lichens, burrowing
greatly influenced by plants
animals.
and other organisms.
Human activities, such as
Erosion is the movement of
reducing forest cover and
rock particles by water and
intensive farming have
wind.
changed the Earth’s surface
Do
Develop presentations or
models to demonstrate natural
formations on earth created by
physical processes such as
weathering/erosion/deposition.
Chart how water, air, and
living things affect rocks
chemically and how they
affect them physically.
Compare and contrast physical
and chemical weathering on a
Venn Diagram or double
bubble map.
Compare and contrast
weathering and erosion on a
Venn Diagram.
Use a classifying web to sort
chemical weathering.
Use a concept web to include
facts and pictures of things
that cause erosion.
Make a foldable about the
agents of erosion.
Water, wind, gravity, and ice
are agents of erosion.
Make a KWL chart about
Weathering; Erosion; and
Deposition.
Waves erode the shoreline.
Describe how running water
moves sediment.
Explain how rivers shape the
land.
Humans can increase erosion
through poor farming
practices or disturbing the land
through development.
There are practices which can
be implemented to control
erosion, such as contour
plowing, terracing, planting
ground cover, or windbreaks.
Man-made structures are
sometimes built to help
control erosion.
Unfortunately, man-made
structures along the coastline
often have the unwanted side
effect of enhancing coastal
erosion.
Construction on steep slopes
can lead to mass wasting or
erosion by gravity, including
slumps and landslides.
Soil is comprised of a mixture
of rock particles, decomposed
organic materials, minerals,
and water.
Deposition occurs where the
agents (forces) of erosion lay
down sediment.
Create a sequence chart to
show the formation of a sand
dune.
Use a stream table to
demonstrate how rivers shape
the land, and the theories of
erosion and deposition.
Examine soil samples to
determine the presence of both
organic and nonorganic
materials.
Make a pie chart to show the
percentage or portion of the
components found in an
average sample of soil.
Identify the horizons of soil.