Book 2

Weathering and Erosion: The Shaping of Our Landscape

Synopsis

"Weathering" and "erosion" are terms that describe the basic processes of everyday wear and tear on the rocks, soils, and vegetation of our landscape. Studying them offers us readily accessible evidence of how the surface of planet Earth has been, and is being, shaped and changed.

Most New Zealand students are easily able to observe the effects of weathering and erosion in their immediate environment (for example, the formation of beaches and natural landmarks) and some may be aware of strategies for environmental protection. These observations form a good starting point for teaching about the processes involved and the science of these processes and effects. The suggested activities include the use of fair testing.

Levels: 3-4

Strand: Planet Earth and Beyond

Achievement aims:
AA1: Investigate the composition of planet Earth and gain an understanding of the processes which shape it.
AA2: Investigate the geological history of planet Earth and understand that our planet has a long past and has undergone many changes.

Concept overview

Use the concept overview, which is also on the inside front cover of the book, as a reference for the concepts that relate to Weathering and Erosion: The Shaping of Our Landscape.

• The concepts are the building blocks for the column - each column is defined by a "big idea".
• The arrows show the links between concepts and how they might build in sequence. Teachers can choose to develop a narrow focus by moving up the template, or a broad focus by following arrows across.
• Each "big idea" shows how a fully developed understanding of the supporting concepts might look. Such an understanding might not be achieved until level 7 or 8. The big ideas are included here to help you build appropriate concepts with your students, whatever their age.

Read the concept overview. To view it, you will need Acrobat Reader.

Writer – Pat Quinn
Specialist Advisers – Dr Hamish Campbell, Dr Ian Speden (Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences)

Links with other titles in the series

Book 1. Waterways (L3-4, Planet Earth and Beyond: AA1, AA2)
Book 60. The Land Changes (L1-4, Living World: AA4; Planet Earth and Beyond: AA2, AA4)

Assessment resources

Visit the 'Building Science Concept' page on the Assessment Resource Banks (ARB) website to find ARB resources that assess the 'big idea' learning outcomes referred to in the concept overview for this title.