Shaping Earth’s Surface 6th grade Ch. 2

Lesson 1 Big Idea Earth’s surface is built up and worn away slowly. Both processes of weathering and erosion change Earth’s surface.

Learning Links Brainpop – weathering and erosion Scholastic Studyjams- weathering and erosion Youtube- weathering and erosion

Wearing down Earth’s Surface Earth’s surface features a worn down by destructive forces such as weathering and erosion. 2 types: Mechanical and Chemical Erosion is caused by wind, water, waves and ice or a combination of these Gravity can cause landslides which destroy human and wildlife habitats

Vocabulary Erosion- a destructive (negative) force where water or wind moves pieces of rock Sediment- small pieces of rock Weathering- a slow destructive force that breaks rock into smaller pieces (picture or synonym or example)

Weathering Slowly wearing away of rock into smaller pieces Water, ice, plant roots, chemicals and wind all cause weathering 2 types- mechanical and chemical Changes Earth’s surface SLOWLY

Erosion The movement of small rocks from one place to another Erosion happens after weathering Water is the main cause of erosion SLOW process

Glaciers A very large piece of moving ice Moves very slowly Causes both Erosion and Weathering as it moves Can form large canyons and valleys

How Earths Surface is Worn Down Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces Erosion carries away Sediments (rock pieces) Mechanical: breaks rock. Ice, wind, and water Destructive force moving water, wind, glaciers, and gravity Rivers and streams Chemical: Changes rocks

Review Big Idea Weathering breaks down rocks and erosion carries these smaller pieces away to a new location. BOTH of these forces change Earth’s surface

Plants roots grow And crack rocks Moves rocks to new location Change the Earth’s surface Water freezes causing cracks Erosion Weathering Slow process Running water Running water wears down rocks Wind Running water Chemicals and acid rain weaken rocks

Weathering Activity Question- What effect does water and abrasion have on rocks? Hypothesis- I think _______________. Procedure- Place 3 rocks in a jar of water Shake for 5 minutes Observe and record changes

Results Before Shaking After Shaking (diagram and words to describe)

Conclusion- I thought ____________. I learned ________________________ Conclusion- I thought ____________. I learned ________________________. My observations showed ____________ ___________. This is like ___________ ______________________________. I still wonder _______________________.

Wind Erosion Activity Question- What effect does wind have on sand Hypothesis- I think _______________. Procedure- Put sand in a plastic container Form a sand dune Blow sand gently through a straw Observe and record changes

Results Before Wind After Wind (diagram) (diagram and words)

Conclusion- I thought ____________. I learned ________________________ Conclusion- I thought ____________. I learned ________________________. My observations showed ____________ ___________. This is like ___________ ______________________________. I still wonder _______________________.

Lesson 2- Big Idea Water running downhill is a powerful force in changing Earth’s landscape. Rivers erode, move sediment, change course, and flood their banks in a continuous pattern.

Vocabulary Alluvial fan- when a river flows over a steep area then slows over flat land forming a fan shape. Delta- the area where a river meets and ocean and drops sediment Deposition- stop carrying and drop sediment

Vocabulary (continued) Meander- the slow curve of a river as it winds through a flat area Tributary- a small river that flows into a larger river

Rivers Rivers are formed from runoff and melting snow They flow downhill eroding the land and carrying sediment and rock with them. They deposit the sediment in new locations This changes the surface of Earth.

River Systems

Water runs downhill joining together to Form rivers Rivers erode the ground and carry sediments as they flow Rivers Shape the Land Sediments are Deposited at the mouth of the river Shape landscapes forming deltas and alluvial fans Rivers can overflow Floods can occur

Lesson 3 – Big Idea Beaches are formed through erosion and deposition. Sand is supplied by rivers and moved along the coast by waves. Beach erosion

Lesson 3 - Vocabulary arch- landform made by 2 sea caves joining when waves erode a headland. barrier island- a sandbar that runs along the shoreline beach- an area made from sediments dropped along a shoreline Cliff- steep rock

Vocabulary (continued) headland- a skinny strip of land that sticks out into the ocean sandbar- a hill of sand below the ocean surface sea cave- A hole in the land near the edge of the ocean created by waves slowly wearing away rock sea stack- tall rocks away from the shore created by wave erosion spit- a sandbar above water level that connects to the shore

Erosions and deposition work together to constantly reshape shorelines Beach Formations Erosions and deposition work together to constantly reshape shorelines Waves cause deposition and erosion

Changes in Sea Level Shape shorelines Tides rise and fall every day Sea levels also change over thousands of years as Earth’s climate changes. Beach sand can be made of different types of minerals, rocks, plant remains, and shells.

Pollution Huge problem in every coastal state in