Mission Library

Wind and Water
Erosion
Grades 1-2

The Mission
16 min

Storyline

Students will compare solutions to wind and water changing landforms.

After a river splits into two, the crew will compare multiple solutions to divert the water. Then, when severe wind keeps knocking off the fruit of orchard trees, the crew will devise a solution to protect the trees from wind damage.

3-Dimensional Science

Phenomenon

Wind and water can alter landforms over time.

Science and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

  • Make observations (firsthand or from media) to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena.

  • Generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem.

Crosscutting Concepts

Stability and Change

  • Students observe some things stay the same while other things change, and things may change slowly or rapidly.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems

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

ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution

  • Because there is always more than one possible solution to a problem, it is useful to compare designs, test them, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

Resources
Targeted Standards
Timeline
Skills in Action