This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science.
This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science.
Students will model how abrasion works to break down rocks into smaller pieces through weathering.
In this online interactive, students explore examples of erosion and weathering in rocks.
Last year the Siuslaw 97J School District changed our food service operation from a national supplier (Chartwell’s) to in-house food service. Our Food Service Manager instituted an organic philosophy and wanted to source local produce. Utilizing our school garden program we now help supply fresh produce for our Siuslaw Elementary School cafeteria. Crop production is stronger in the 4/5 wing because of wind protection from the building. Florence experiences high winds and we are located close to the beach so we have constant sand blowing into our crops. The K-3 garden beds do not have the same protection as the 4/5 beds, and as a result have a lower yield. Our goal is to have students design and engineer wind barriers for these beds and then present the best solutions to our school board so that we can get funding to implement our ideas. This project can be used in any school with a garden by using preexisting barriers on a the school property. The unique environment of the school would dictate the lessons required to be adapted to fit the environmental needs of the community. If the school is lacking a garden, the students can focus on an at home garden project.
Help students explore an important moment of environmental activism in North Carolina with Save Our Sand Dunes by Hannah Bunn West and with Ann-Cabell Baum. This complementary learning guide to the book is designed to help educators guide young readers in discovering how Carolista Baum rallied a community and advocated for local and state leaders to preserve Jockey's Ridge.
In this video, students learn that weathering and erosion are continuous processes that gradually change the natural environment over time. Weathering is the process of wearing down materials into sediment. Erosion occurs when this sediment is moved.
In this virtual resource, students will observe rocks in their own schoolyard and take a virtual field trip to Spencer Mountain, learning from a local historian and geologist about the natural and human history of the landform.
The wakelet site features videos demonstrating hands-on activities for students to complete at school in small, socially-distanced settings. Activities may also be adapted for at-home learning. Some activities incorporate an outdoor component, acknowledging the need to balance screen time with green time to support mental health. Tips for taking your students outside can be found here: https://education.eol.org/cnc_materials/TipsForTeachingOutside.pdf
In this activity, students shake rocks for 15-20 minutes to simulate stream erosion.
This lesson explores how the Earth?s landscape features change through forces of nature such as wind, water, glaciation, and volcanism.
Students will investigate the role plants, grasses, and trees have in preventing soil erosion. They will identify some causes and effects of soil erosion, observe erosion results made with different materials, and explain how planting grass and other plants can reduce erosion and run-off.
This video includes an interview with Tim Heafner, an amateur geologist and historian from Gaston County. I also demonstrate a fun activity modeling the formation of Spencer mountain.
Join me as I uncover the secrets of one of Gaston’s County’s most beloved but overlooked landmark: Spencer Mountain. In this video, I investigate such questions as: who owns the mountain? How did it form? And- can I go to the top? But, a visit to the mountain raises more questions than it answers, so stay tuned for next week’s Part 2 as I continue to explore the history of this mountain.
Students view a video to learn about volcanoes. Students compare two different types of volcanoes (composite and shield volcanoes) by creating a Venn diagram and discussing them with the class.
In this classroom activity, middle school students gain an understanding of geologic time. The activity opens with background information for teachers about carbon and radiometric dating. In a classroom discussion, students share what they know about geologic time. Then, working in small groups responsible for different eras, students create a timeline for their assigned era by conducting library and Internet research. The activity concludes by having students review all the timelines to compare how long humans have been on the Earth to the length of time dinosaurs inhabited the planet.
The purpose of this activity is to teach writing in a science context using the text structure of cause and effect.
Healthy soil gives us many benefits, including nutritious food. During this video, I interview a local farmer to find out how he takes care of his soil. I also demonstrate an activity where students can try their hand at designing their own soil-friendly yard or green space, either at home or at school.
In this lesson, students will explore erosion by investigating the impact runoff has under three different scenarios with varying amounts and types of vegetation.
Students construct models that resemble rain falling on a hillside to observe factors affecting soil erosion and ground stability.
This resource is a compilation of text, videos, and other elements to create a scaffolded 5E learning experience for students. In this lesson, students learn how soils are formed by weathering of rock and the decomposition of plant and animal remains.