Lesson 1: Constructive & Destructive Processes of Earth
Earth’s Surface Changes: Constructive & Destructive Processes
Lesson Map (5E)
- Engage — Bell Ringer & Brief Intro (0–5) 5 min
- Explore — 5-min Demo + 20-min Lab (5–25) 25 min
- Explain — Key Ideas & Misconceptions (25–33) 8 min
- Elaborate — Quick-Check Formatives (33–40) 7 min
- Evaluate — Exit Ticket (40–50) 10 min
ENGAGE (0–5) — Bell Ringer & Brief Intro
Bell Ringer — Milestones-Style
A river slows down at its mouth and drops sand in a triangle of new land. Which process is this?
Brief Intro
Earth’s surface is always changing. Some processes wear land down. Some processes build land up. Today we will model how weathering, erosion, and deposition change the land.
EXPLORE (5–25) — Demo and Hands-On Lab
5-Minute Demo: From Weathering to Deposition
Materials: shallow tray, 1 sugar cube, water (dropper or cup), paper towel.
- Set the sugar cube in the tray. Add drops of water. The cube wears down (weathering).
- Tilt the tray so grains move (erosion).
- Hold the tray flat. Grains settle into a small pile (deposition).
Safety & Setup
- Do not taste materials. Wash hands after the lab.
- Wipe up spills right away.
20-Minute Lab: Three Stations that Shape the Land
Materials per group (3–4):
- 3 shallow pans or trays
- Sand or clean dirt (~4 cups), small pebbles
- Water (2 cups), plastic spoons
- Ruler, index card, masking tape, paper towels
Group Data Table:
| Station | What we did | Process (W/E/D) | Feature Made/Changed | Sketch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Weathering | ||||
| 2 — Erosion | ||||
| 3 — Deposition |
Station 1 — Weathering
- Tap two pebbles together with a spoon 10 times.
- Look for smaller pieces or rough edges.
Record: Write “weathering.” Sketch the broken edges.
Station 2 — Erosion
- Prop one end of the pan on an index card to make a small slope.
- Pour one cup of water from the high end across the sand.
Record: Write “erosion.” Sketch any channels cut by moving water.
Station 3 — Deposition
- Keep the slope. Pour a slow, small stream of water again.
- Watch for a fan-shaped pile at the bottom.
Record: Write “deposition.” Sketch the fan (like a delta).
Construct a Claim
Claim: Choose one feature your group made or changed. Say if it came from a constructive or destructive process.
Evidence: List two observations from your table or sketches.
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence proves your claim.
EXPLAIN (25–33) — Key Ideas & Misconceptions
Key Ideas
- Weathering breaks rock into smaller pieces.
- Erosion moves those pieces to a new place.
- Deposition drops the pieces and builds new land.
- Constructive processes build up land (deltas, dunes, lava flows).
- Destructive processes wear down land (canyons, cliffs, valleys).
Misconceptions
- Weathering and erosion are not the same. One breaks, the other moves.
- Deposition can make large features, not just small piles.
- Volcanoes can build new land, not only destroy it.
- Plants and barriers can slow erosion.
ELABORATE (33–40) — Quick-Check Formatives (Milestones Style)
1) Multi-Select (Select two)
Which two are destructive processes?
2) Part A/Part B
Part A: Wind slows and drops sand behind a fence. Which process is shown?
Part B: Which feature is most likely to form?
3) Drop-Down Style (circle your choices)
“Water cuts a channel in the land. This is (weathering / erosion / deposition). The channel is a result of a (constructive / destructive) process.”
4) Evidence-Based Selected Response
Which evidence best supports the claim “The fan-shaped pile at Station 3 was made by deposition”?
EVALUATE (40–50) — Exit Ticket (5 items)
1) Selected Response
Which process builds up new land?
2) Multi-Select
Choose all the surface features that can form from deposition.
3) Constructed Response (short)
Explain how erosion and deposition work together to change a river. Use one sentence for each term.
4) Matching (write A, B, or C)
| Process | Feature or Result |
|---|---|
| A. Weathering | __ rock breaks into smaller pieces |
| B. Erosion | __ river cuts a channel |
| C. Deposition | __ sand forms a bar or delta |
5) Part A/Part B
Part A: A volcano adds a new lava layer to an island. Is this constructive, destructive, or both?
Part B: Explain your choice in one sentence.
Answer Key
Bell Ringer
1) C
Elaborate — Quick Checks
- 1) A and C
- 2) Part A: C • Part B: G
- 3) erosion; destructive
- 4) B
Exit Ticket
- 1) C
- 2) A and C
- 3) Sample: “Erosion moves soil and sand. Deposition drops them where the water slows, building a delta.”
- 4) A→rock breaks; B→river cuts a channel; C→sand forms a bar or delta
- 5) Part A: A (constructive). Accept C (both) with a sentence noting eruptions can also destroy.