Rivers and Streams

There are rivers and streams all around us. Evidence of how they shape the landscape through weathering and erosion is visible through rock cutouts, changes in the shape of the land and water bodies, and sometimes the damage left behind. 

• How do rivers and streams shape the landscape of the earth?

• Looking at the photograph, what do you notice?
• How might rivers or streams have been created?
• How could weathering and erosion form a river or stream?
• How might the speed or amount of water affect the weathering and erosion of a stream or river?

Students could:

• Take a nature walk to a local river or creek and make observations about what they notice.
• Create a stream table in your classroom using a foil pan, soil, sand, rocks and water. Then make a prediction about what will happen before the water is poured into the pan and as the water creates a stream by eroding the materials.

• Generation Genius | Weathering and Erosion: Weathering and erosion videos for kids. 
• Mystery Science| Will a Mountain Last Forever?: A lesson exploring how solid rock can break into smaller pieces by weathering.
• ReadWorks | The Forces that Shape Rocks: An article on weathering and erosion.