Wind and Water Change the Shape of the Land – Second Grade Science Stations

In this set of science stations, students learn about how wind and water change the shape of the land. It includes 8 different science stations where students deepen their understanding of weathering and erosion caused by wind and water. All stations in this set meet the DCI 2-ESS2.A and incorporate ETS2-1. See below for details on how these stations meet the standards and specific DCIs.

Wind & Water Changes Stations Include

► Big Idea Posters that explain the core ideas of the stations.

► Vocabulary Cards in two formats with and without pictures.

► Watch – Students watch a video in order to learn about erosion or a video to learn about landforms. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Play – Students play a game in order to learn about weathering and erosion or about landforms. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Investigate – Students read about weathering and erosion that happen with water. They investigate this in a hands-on activity. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Diagram – Students read about changing desert landforms due to weathering and erosion. They put together a diagram and answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Read a Passage – Students read about how weathering and erosion change landforms. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Model – Students read about problems that happen with weathering and erosion. They draw models of solutions to erosion problems. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Explore Students read about and explore wind erosion. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

► Sort – Students read about wind and water erosion. They sort pictures of examples into categories of wind erosion or water erosion. They then answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

MP3 AUDIO

Now includes all MP3 audio of all text passages. You can access the MP3 via a website or install them on your devices to have students listen to the texts read aloud to them.

DIFFERENTIATED RESPONSES

Each station includes four different ways to respond to the experience at the station: short answer questions, fill-in the blank questions, task cards with short answers, task cards with multiple choice. All the variations are similar to one another. Choose the format that best fits your classroom and students. Students are encouraged to use their science journal, but worksheets are included as well.

Each station is designed to last about 15-20 minutes. Students may do one a day for 8 days, 2 a day for four days, or any format that works for your classroom. Because there are additional activities for the Watch and Play stations, you can offer those as a choice within that station or offer them as an early finisher station, as well.

NGSS Standards

In Second Grade, students are expected to demonstrate understanding in the following area:

• 2-ESS2-1. Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.

This correlates with the DCI 2-ESS2.A, which states:

• Wind and water can change the shape of the land.

The Investigate, Model, and Explore stations correlate with the Engineering Design DCI ETS1.C, which states:

• Because there is always more than one possible solution to a problem, it is useful to compare and test designs. (K-2-ETS1-3)

The Investigate, Diagram, Model, and Explore stations meet the Science and Engineering Practices:

• Developing and Using Models: Modeling in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to include using and developing models (i.e., diagram, drawing, physical replica, diorama, dramatization, or storyboard) that represent concrete events or design solutions. Develop a model to represent patterns in the natural world. (2-ESS2-2) The Investigate, Diagram, Model, and Explore Stations use models to describe patterns of weathering and erosion.

• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Constructing explanations and designing solutions in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to the use of evidence and ideas in constructing evidence-based accounts of natural phenomena and designing solutions. Compare multiple solutions to a problem. (2-ESS2-1) The Investigate, Model, and Explore Stations allow students to come up with a solution to a problem. They can compare solutions between groups.

• Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information in K–2 builds on prior experiences and uses observations and texts to communicate new information. Obtain information using various texts, text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons), and other media that will be useful in answering a scientific question. (2-ESS2-3) Every Station in this set provides students with information about weathering and erosion. Moreover, the Investigate, Model, and Explore Stations allow students to gain information via direct observation of weathering and erosion simulations.