Weathering is the process that breaks down larger rocks into smaller rock pieces and erosion is the movement of these smaller pieces. There are four agents of erosion: gravity, water, ice, and wind. In this activity, students will create a spider map that identifies and illustrates each agent of erosion. To challenge your more advanced students, have them find examples of different land formations caused by the erosion types.
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Student Instructions
Identify and describe four ways rocks can be eroded.
Engage students with a visual and interactive erosion experiment using basic supplies. This activity helps students see how erosion works in real time, reinforcing key science concepts.
Collect inexpensive items such as plastic trays, cups, water, sand, soil, and a few small rocks. Having all materials ready ensures a smooth demonstration and keeps students focused on learning.
Shape the sand and soil in each tray to create hills, valleys, or riverbanks. Adding rocks can show how solid features affect erosion, making the demonstration more realistic and engaging for students.
Pour water to mimic rain, use a straw or fan for wind, and carefully tilt trays for gravity. Each method models a different agent of erosion, helping students visualize how landscapes change over time.
Ask students to note differences in the landscape after each agent acts. Encourage them to discuss which agent caused the most change and why, building critical thinking and observation skills.
The four main agents of erosion are gravity, water, ice, and wind. Each agent moves and shapes rock fragments in unique ways, forming different landforms over time.
You can use a spider map activity where students identify, illustrate, and describe each agent of erosion. They can find images or create their own visuals and write brief explanations for each erosion type.
Weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces, while erosion moves those pieces to new locations. Both processes work together to shape Earth’s surface.
Examples include canyons (water erosion), sand dunes (wind erosion), glacial valleys (ice erosion), and talus slopes (gravity erosion).
Learning about agents of erosion helps students understand how Earth’s landscapes change over time and connects science lessons to real-world environments.