Weathering and Soil Formation
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to explore and record how soils are formed by weathering of rock and the decomposition of plant and animal remains.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that Earth consists of natural resources and its surface is constantly changing.
Science Background
Weathering and Erosion: Mr. SciGuy (website) - Great photos and illustrations summarize the processes of weathering and erosion.
Weathering and Erosion
Mr. SciGuy, www.mrsciguy.com
Weathering and Soils: University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (website) - In-depth geology information covering the rock cycle, weathering, soil formation and classification, etc.
Weathering and Soils
University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, www.uwgb.edu
Signature Lesson
Weathering and Erosion: Utah Education Network (website) – Students explore and record how weathering breaks down rocks into smaller particles.
Weathering and Erosion
Utah Education Network, www.uen.org
Soil Recipe: Environmental Protection Agency (website) - Students explore soil, record some of its components, including living organisms, and learn that time is important in the formation of soil.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Do Rocks Last Forever? Kids GeoZone (website) - Four classroom experiments that illustrate the effects of mechanical and chemical weathering.
Do Rocks Last Forever?
Kids GeoZone, California Department of Conservation, www.consrv.ca.gov
Diary of a Worm: ed1stop.net (website) - Lesson ideas for science, reading and writing, based on the trade book, “Diary of a Worm.”
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Showing the Difference Between Erosion and Weathering: Alabama Learning Exchange (website) - Students observe examples of weathering and erosion, learn the differences between the two processes, and perform experiments that show weathering and erosion.
A Recipe for Soil: Utah Education Network (website) – In this lesson, students make soil by replicating natural processes. They will gather organic material, "weather and erode" rock material, and mix it with air and water to grow a plant.
Assessment Ideas
Weathering and Erosion: Utah Education Network (website) - See “Wear it Away Walk” in Assessment Plan.
Literature Connections
Weathering and Erosion: Wearing Down Rocks. Hoffman, Steven M. (ISBN-10: 1448827116)
Dirt: Jump Into Science. Tomecek, Steve (ISBN-10: 0792282043)
A Handful of Dirt. Bial, Raymond (ISBN-0-802-78698-7)
Soil. Flanagan, Alice (ISBN: 0-756-50035-4)
Additional Resources
Geology For Kids: KidsGeo.com (website) - Information, games and songs related to geology.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 3
Need Assistance?
If you need help or have a question please use the links below to help resolve your problem.
Comments