3. Student Learning Map

  • Topic:13- Weathering and Erosion
  • Subject(s):Science
  • Days:20
  • Grade(s):9
Key Learning:

The surface of the Earth is constantly being changed by forces of nature. Things like moving water, wind and gravity are breaking down the rocks that make up the Earth's surface. These same forces can also move the broken down rocks to different locations.
Unit Essential Question(s):
 
 

How do weathering and erosion work together to change the surface of the Earth?
   
Concept: Weathering
SC.912.E.6.4   SC.912.E.6.2  

Explain how mechanical and chemical weathering breaks down rocks. Be sure to discuss the various types of mechanical and chemical weathering.

Analyze factors that affect the rate of weathering.

(Chapter 14 Sections 1 & 2)

HOTS: Constructing Support or Deductive Reasoning could be used to demonstrate the ET LEQ.
Concept: Soils
SC.912.N.3.5   SC.912.E.7.3   SC.912.E.7.1   SC.912.E.6.2  

Explain how soils are formed. Be sure to describe the abiotic and biotic factors that are involved in soil formation.

Explain how climate influences the composition of soil.

Describe a soil profile and how it is useful to geologists.

(Chapter 14 Section 3)
Concept: Erosion
SC.912.N.4.1   SC.912.N.3.5   SC.912.E.7.7   SC.912.E.6.4   SC.912.E.6.2  

Discuss the various natural agents that cause erosion. Be sure to give specifc examples for each type and discuss which ones occur here in Florida.

Describe the various types of mass movements.

Discuss the role that erosion plays on the reshaping of mountains, plains and plateaus.

Examine some the techniques that farmers use to prevent soil erosion.

(Chapter 14; Section 4)

HOTS: Constructing Support, Inductive Reasoning, Analyzing Perspectives or Deductive Reasoning could be used to demonstrate the ET LEQ.
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What influence does mechanical and chemical weathering have on surface features?

 (A)

How does the climate in Florida impact the rate of weathering?

 (A)
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What are the essential components of soil?

 (A)

What is the relationship between climate and soil?

 (A)

What can we learn by studying soil profiles?

 (A)
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What influence do the agents of erosion have on the Earth's surface?

 (A)

What influence does gravity have on mass wasting?

 (A)

What influence does erosion have on the ecomony, human activity and environment here in Florida?

 (ET)
Vocabulary:

Abrasion, Chemical Weathering, Differentiated Weathering, Mechanical Weathering, Oxidation

Vocabulary:

Horizons, Humus, Soil Profile

Vocabulary:

*Erosion,

Concept:

Water Erosion

SC.912.E.7.3   SC.912.E.6.4   SC.912.E.6.2  

Describe the parts of a river and discuss the factors that affect how much erosion the river can cause.

Discuss how a river can change its course over time and the affects that this process has on the surface of the Earth.

Explain the two types of stream deposition.

Examine the effects that floods have on human activity and some of the methods that we use to control floods.

(Chapter 15; Sections 2 & 3)

HOTS: Constructing Support or Deductive Reasoning could be used to demonstrate the ET LEQ.
Concept:

Glaciers

SC.912.E.7.3   SC.912.E.6.4   SC.912.E.6.2  

Describe how the various types of glaciers form and move.

Examine the role that the cryosphere plays on the surface of the Earth.

Discuss the types of landscape features that are created by glaciers. Be sure to include features that are formed by glacial deposition.

(Chapter 17)

HOTS: Constructing Support or Deductive Reasoning could be used to demonstrate the ET LEQ.
Concept:

Wind Erosion

SC.912.E.6.4   SC.912.E.6.2  

Describe the various ways that wind causes erosion and the type of depositions that form.

Discuss how wind erosion has a major affect on deserts.

(Chapter 18; Section 1)

HOTS: Constructing Support or Deductive Reasoning could be used to demonstrate the ET LEQ.
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What influence does topography have on the erosion rate of a river?

 (A)

What similarities and differences exist between an alluvial fan and a delta?

 (A)

What are the most effective ways for humans to try to control floods?

 (A)

What influence does human activities have on an areas potential for flooding?

 (ET)
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What influence does glaciation have on the surface features of the Earth?

 (A)

Why would we study the cryosphere?

 (A)

How does the cryosphere impact life in Florida?

 (ET)
Lesson Essential Question(s):

What is the relationship between wind erosion and deserts?

 (A)

How does wind erosion impact Florida?

 (ET)
Vocabulary:

Alluvial Fan, Delta, Floodplain, Stream Load

Vocabulary:

Cryosphere, Glacier, Ice Age

Vocabulary:

Saltation

Additional Information:

The asterisk (*) next to the vocabulary terms above indicates FCAT vocabulary.

Suggested Resources

Holt Earth Space Science textbook and ancillary materials

Unitedstreaming

Attached graphic organizers

View As PDF
Student Learning Map
Vocabulary Report

Acquisition Lesson:

Extending Thinking Lesson:

Unit Timeline

Vocabulary Report

  • Abrasion -

    the grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles

  • Cryosphere -

    Collectively describes the portions of the Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets, and frozen ground (which includes permafrost).

  • Alluvial Fan -

    A fan shaped mass of rock material deposited by a stream when the slope of the land decreases sharply; for example, alluvial fans form when streams flow from mountains to flat land.

  • Saltation -

    The movement of sand or other sediments by short jumps and bounces that is caused by wind or water.

  • *Erosion -

    the wearing away of Earth's surface by the breakdown and transportation of rock and soil.

  • Horizons -

    a horizontal layer of soil that can be distinguished from the layers above and below it; also a boundary between two rock layers that have different physical properties

  • Humus -

    dark, organic material formed in soil from the decayed remains of plants and animals

  • Glacier -

    A large mass of moving ice.

  • Chemical Weathering -

    the process by which rocks break down as a result of chemical reactions

  • Delta -

    A fan shaped mass of rock material deposited at the mouth of a stream; for example, deltas form where streams flow into the ocean at the edge of a continent.

  • Differentiated Weathering -

    the process by which softer, less weather resistant rocks wear away at a faster rate than harder, more weather resistant rocks do

  • Soil Profile -

    a vertical section of soil that shows the layers of horizons

  • Ice Age -

    A long period of climatic cooling during which the continents are glaciated repeatedly.

  • Floodplain -

    An area along a river that forms from sediments deposited when the river overflows its banks.

  • Mechanical Weathering -

    the process by which rocks break down into smaller pieces by physical means

  • Stream Load -

    The materials other than the water that are carried by a stream.

  • Oxidation -

    a reaction that removes one or more electrons from a substance such that the substance's valence or oxidation state increases; in geology, the process by which a metallic element combines with oxygen