Erosion

Introduction

Hello super scientists!

Have you ever found a smooth river stone and wondered how it became so smooth? Have you heard of landslides, and how they can sweep away entire houses? Both of these are caused by erosion, which is a natural shaping force in our world. Erosion is natural, but it can also be a problem. Engineers are working hard to find ways to slow down erosion, which can be caused by things such as wind and water. 

 

Task

Today we will be splitting up into teams to research how to prevent erosion, and understand how this force can be a problem and what we can do to help prevent it from destroying our buildings.

You know a little bit about erosion from your wonderful science teacher, but need to learn more to be able to build your design. This webquest will teach you more about erosion and help you to find ways to stop it! 

 

Click on the geologist to begin your adventure! 

Process

Here are your investigative duties and your individual jobs:

Step 1: Assigning Jobs- Your teacher will assign you a number which corresponds with your job.

  • Every investigator in your group will take on a different responsibility during this scientific investigation.  As a group, cooperatively decide who will take on each job!

    • Job #1: Computer Operator- You are in charge of navigating through the technology part of the webquest.  Use the mouse and follow the directions!

    • Job #2: Lead Discussionist: You are in charge of getting your group members involved in conversation and keeping everyone on task.  Be sure to let everyone communicate their ideas.

    • Job #3: Recorder: You are in charge of doing any of the writing that needs to take place during every activity.  Please submit this as a google doc. Please make sure to include all group members names. 

    • Job #4: Reader: You are in charge of reading any and all directions to navigate through the webquest, games, and activities.  Make sure everyone is listening before you move on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Your FIRST task!

Materials Needed: Computer

  • Lead Discussionist: Now is the time to start up a conversation!  As a group, discuss what was happening throughout the demonstration.  Be sure to include ALL members of the group!

  • Recorder: Your task is to write your group's observations.  Can you explain what is happening to this rock?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Your SECOND task!

Materials Needed: Computer, Knowledge

  • Computer Operator: Click here to take your group to another Erosion destination.  When the activity loads, click the "begin" button to play the game.

  • Reader:  Read the directions for playing game aloud so that ALL group members know how to play!

  • Lead Discussionist: I noticed that you discovered that WATER was a cause of weathering in the last activity.  However, what causes erosion?  After playing the game and watching the beginning video for the game, What was the cause of erosion?  Discuss as a whole group!

  • Recorder: Record your answer in google docs.

    • Helpful Hint: _____   ______   ______   _______ (It has 4 letters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Your THIRD task

Materials Needed: computer

  • Computer Operator: Click here to take your group to their third destination.  When the page loads, click on the 7 different landscapes that have been effected by erosion.  Be sure to allow enough to observe each different landscape.

  • Reader: Read aloud each caption for each individual landscape picture as the computer operator opens each one. 

  • Lead Discussionist: As the reader reads aloud each caption, lead your group into a discussion about the different causes of erosion that occurred for each different place.  You should be able to make an accurate guess based off of your prior knowledge from the Science Trail Hike.

  • Recorder: Write down the cause of erosion for each different landscape.  I have noticed that you have stumbled upon a DIFFERENT cause of erosion.  Which landscape was formed by a different type of erosion? 

    • Helpful Hint: ______   _______    _______ (It has 3 letters)

 

Step 5: Your FINAL task

Materials Needed: computer

  • Computer Operator: Click here to take your group to their final Erosion destination.  When the page loads, have the reader read ONLY options 1, 2, 4, 5. 

  • Reader: Read aloud ONLY options 1, 2, 4, 5. 

  • Lead Discussionist: As the reader reads aloud each caption, lead your group in a discussion about how this method would stop erosion. Discuss how your group could use materials at school to stop erosion on a soil model. 

  • Recorder: Write down your groups ideas about how to stop erosion. Make notes about what types of materials you will need to stop erosion on our soil model.

 

Evaluation

Task

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

 

 

Rock Animation

 

Students did not attempt to describe what happened in the animation.

Students attempted to make connections, but their ideas were not fully developed.

Students described 1 thing that happened to the rock using their prior knowledge of erosion.

 Students described at least 2 things that happened using their prior knowledge of erosion.

 

 



Rock Around the Park

 

 

Students did not attempt to complete any of the online tasks or write the second type of erosion.

Students completed one of the online tasks AND wrote the second type of erosion.

Students completed two of the online tasks AND wrote the second type of erosion.

Students completed the three online tasks AND wrote the second type of erosions.

 

 



Landscape Erosion

 

 

Students did not attempt to complete ANY of the 7 different landscapes.

Students wrote 1-2 of the different types of erosion occurring in the different landscapes.

Students wrote 3-4 of the different types of erosion occurring in the different landscapes.

Students wrote 5-7 of the different types of erosion occurring in the different landscapes.

 

 





Research Phase

 

Students did not complete any research

Students wrote down 1 idea of how they could stop erosion.

Students wrote down 2-3 ideas of how they could stop erosion and listed some materials they could use in the classroom.

Students wrote down 3-5 ideas and many ideas of materials they could use to replicate these items in the classroom.

 

TEAMWORK

1- Teammates did not work together to complete the webquest.

2- 1-2 of the members took responsibility for their individual jobs AND the group attempted to work cooperatively together.

3- Each member of the group took responsibility for their individual jobs, but did NOT cooperatively work together.

4- Each member of the group took responsibility for their individual jobs AND cooperatively worked together.