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Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of weathering, erosion, and deposition. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition 5E Lesson, students will be able to analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions around the country.

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The Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will learn about the stalactites and stalagmites found at Natural Bridge Caverns near San Antonio, Texas. Students will set up a demonstration showing the formation of both stalactites and stalagmites, then analyze how weathering, erosion, and deposition played a part in the formation. This lab will span roughly two days. Day one, students will set up the lab. Day two, students will make observations and answer reflection questions.

The Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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The Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Sub Plan is a complete lesson that takes students through a warm-up, reading passage, independent activity, extension activities, and an assessment.

The worksheets are designed to make your sub day a breeze for you, your students, and the substitute teacher. They are also perfect for distance learning.

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Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about weathering, erosion, and deposition. All of the following experiences are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Escape Rooms

The Rock Cycle Escape Room is an immersive experience for you students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of mass, volume, and density and the relationship between the three.

Students must use what they have learned about the processes in the rock cycle (weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation, heat & pressure, and cooling) to complete the escape room.

STEM CHALLENGES

The Project Arches STEM Challenge uses the engineering design process to research and write a blog post about how weathering and erosion creates arches. 

Students will be using collaborative skills such as brainstorming with their peers and reflecting on their progress during the project.

At the end of the Project Arches STEM challenge, students are given an opportunity to share their projects outside of the classroom.


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the weathering, erosion, and deposition unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • What effects does weathering have on the environment in ecoregions?
  • What effects does erosion have on the environment in ecoregions?
  • What effects does deposition have on the environment in ecoregions?
Standards
  • MS ESS3-1 - Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes
  • TEKS Science 7.8 B - Analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.