This is a 10 lesson unit, designed to cover the Australian Curriculum for Year 4 Earth and Space Sciences.

Over the course of this unit, students learn how the surface of the earth changes over time due to weathering and erosion. Students get hands-on experience investigating and sorting rock and soil samples, and they investigate the role that we play in shaping how erosion happens.

Students will zoom in on the tiniest crystals in a rock and zoom out as far as we can go, using Google Earth to visit extraordinary examples of geological change around the world.

Each lesson has an accompanying activity worksheet for students to complete, and there is a quiz that can be used as a summative assessment task at the end of the unit.

10 x 1 hour lessons
Cross curriculum
20x resources/worksheets
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Australian Curriculum - (QLD/SA/WA/NT/TAS/ACT)

AC9S5U02

Describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface


AC9S4H01

Examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations


AC9S4H02

Consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem


AC9S4I01

Pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations


AC9S4I02

Use provided scaffolds to plan and conduct investigations to answer questions or test predictions, including identifying the elements of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment


AC9S4I03

Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate


AC9S4I04

Construct and use representations, including tables, simple column graphs and visual or physical models, to organise data and information, show simple relationships and identify patterns


AC9S4I05

Compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions


AC9S4I06

Write and create texts to communicate findings and ideas for identified purposes and audiences, using scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate


ACSSU075

Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity


ACSHE061

Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships


ACSHE062

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions


ACSIS064

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on prior knowledge


ACSIS065

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment


ACSIS066

Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and record observations accurately


ACSIS068

Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


ACSIS216

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


ACSIS069

Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not


ACSIS071

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations


NSW

ST2-1WS-S

Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations


ST2-10ES-S

Investigates regular changes caused by interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and changes to the Earth’s surface


ST2-2DP-T

Selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity


ST2-4LW-S

Compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things


ST2-5LW-T

Describes how agricultural processes are used to grow plants and raise animals for food, clothing and shelter


ST2-6MW-S

Describes how adding or removing heat causes a change of state


ST2-7MW-T

Investigates the suitability of natural and processed materials for a range of purposes


ST2-8PW-ST

Describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat


ST2-9PW-ST

Describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion


ST2-3DP-T

Defines problems, describes and follows algorithms to develop solutions


ST2-11DI-T

Describes how digital systems represent and transmit data


VIC

VCSSU062

Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity


VCSSU056

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions


VCSIS065

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge


VCSIS067

Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies


VCSIS068

Use formal measurements in the collection and recording of observations


VCSIS069

Use a range of methods including tables and column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


VCSIS070

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


VCSIS071

Reflect on an investigation, including whether a test was fair or not


VCSIS072

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings to show patterns and relationships using formal and informal scientific language


Overview

In this unit, students:

  • Learn about the composition of both rocks and soil. 
  • Investigate local soil and rock samples for evidence of geological change.
  • Learn how the surface of the world can be changed through erosion and weathering.
  • Consider how humans impact erosion and change.
     
Learning Intention
  • We are learning to describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid changes to the Earth’s surface.
  • We are learning to understand that the Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity.
Lessons
Linked Resources & Activities