New
New
Year 3

Weathering and erosion of rocks

I can describe how natural forces can change rocks over time.

New
New
Year 3

Weathering and erosion of rocks

I can describe how natural forces can change rocks over time.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks on Earth’s surface, over time, by natural forces.
  2. Erosion is when land is worn away by natural forces, such as water or wind, and transported to another location.
  3. Weathering and erosion of rock can cause habitat loss and natural disasters.
  4. Different types of scientists, including geologists, work to eliminate the negative effects of weathering and erosion.

Common misconception

Children use the word weathering and erosion interchangeably to mean the same thing.

Explain the difference between these two processes, that are closely linked, through clear definitions, images and examples of where they are happening.

Keywords

  • Weathering - Weathering is a natural process that slowly breaks apart or changes rock. Heat, water, wind, living things, and other natural forces cause weathering.

  • Natural forces - Wind, rain, heat and cold are natural forces.

  • Erosion - Erosion is when bits of rock and earth are carried away from their original location, by natural forces like wind and rain.

  • Transportation - When objects are moved from one place to another, it is called transportation.

  • Geologist - A geologist is a scientist who studies what the earth is made of.

This topic has lots of practical activities that can help children to see weathering and erosion in action. Please use as many of these as possible to deepen the children's understanding and address misconceptions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

See additional material

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are types of weather?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: rain
Correct answer: sun
umbrella
forecast
Correct answer: wind
Q2.
Which of these materials would be most suitable to make a bench?
An image in a quiz
tissue paper
frosted glass
Correct answer: granite rock
corrugated cardboard
Q3.
Read these descriptions. Which best describes the rock called chalk?
An image in a quiz
I am hard, impermeable and good for writing with.
I am flexible, permeable and good for building houses.
I am rigid, crumbly and good for making statues.
Correct answer: I am soft, permeable and athletes use me to help them grip.
I am soft, permeable and useful for making ornaments.
Q4.
Look at these results. Which of the questions below would you be able to answer if these were your results?
An image in a quiz
Which is the most attractive rock?
Which rock is permeable?
Correct answer: Which is the hardest rock?
Where do rocks come from?
Correct answer: Which rocks scratch easily?
Q5.
When put in water, chalk and sandstone produced bubbles but marble and slate did not. Match the rocks to their permeability.
Correct Answer:chalk and sandstone,permeable

permeable

Correct Answer:marble and slate,impermeable

impermeable

Q6.
Look at this slate in a glass of water. It is a test for permeability. What does it show you about the permeability of slate?
An image in a quiz
Slate is permeable.
It doesn't show you anything. You can't tell anything by looking at it.
Correct answer: Slate is impermeable.

6 Questions

Q1.
The breaking down of rocks on Earth’s surface, over time, is called .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: weathering
Q2.
is when land is worn away by natural forces and transported to another location.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Erosion
Q3.
Which of these are natural forces that cause weathering?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: rain
electricity
Correct answer: wind
Correct answer: heat
running
Q4.
Match the example to the name of the process.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a sandbank has formed in a river,erosion

erosion

Correct Answer:a pavement is cracked by a weed,weathering

weathering

Q5.
Weathering and erosion of rock can cause ...
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: habitat loss.
natural forces.
temperature changes.
Correct answer: natural disasters.
Q6.
and other scientists help to eliminate the negative impact of weathering and erosion.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Geologists, Rock scientists

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