2nd Grade Benchmark Advanced Unit 8 Week 2: Wind and Water Change Earth
Welcome to the resource page for 2nd Grade Benchmark Advanced Unit 8 Week 2! This unit focuses on how wind and water change the Earth through natural processes. The stories in this unit help students explore the impact of natural elements on landforms, communities, and people’s lives. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the stories, key standards being taught, comprehension questions, and teaching strategies to make your lessons engaging and effective.
Wind and Water Change Earth
- Shared Reads
- How a Mountain Changes
- Hans Saves the Village
- Extended Read
- Earth’s Changes
- Word Study Read
- My Beach
Playlist
Theme of Unit 8 Week 2: Wind and Water Change Earth
The overarching theme for Unit 8 Week 2 is understanding how natural forces like wind and water shape the Earth. Through the shared and extended reads, students will learn about erosion, weathering, and how communities adapt to environmental changes. This unit encourages students to think critically about the Earth’s processes and how humans interact with their environment.
Stories in Unit 8 Week 2
Shared Read 1: How a Mountain Changes
This nonfiction text explains how mountains change over time due to natural forces such as wind, water, and ice. The story focuses on the concepts of erosion and weathering and provides real-world examples of how landforms evolve over long periods.
Key Concepts:
Erosion caused by wind and water
How weathering breaks down rocks
The slow process of Earth’s changes
Comprehension Questions:
What causes mountains to change over time?
How does water contribute to the erosion of mountains?
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Teaching Strategy:
Use visuals like diagrams and videos to show how mountains erode over time. Have students create a timeline showing the stages of mountain changes.
Extended Read: Earth’s Changes
This extended nonfiction text dives deeper into the processes that change the Earth’s surface, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The text explores both slow and rapid changes and how they impact landscapes and communities.
Key Concepts:
Slow changes (erosion, weathering) vs. rapid changes (earthquakes, floods)
How natural events shape the Earth’s surface
The importance of being prepared for environmental changes
Comprehension Questions:
What are some examples of slow changes to the Earth’s surface?
What are some examples of rapid changes?
How do these changes impact people and communities?
Teaching Strategy:
Create a comparison chart with students to distinguish between slow and rapid changes. Discuss real-world examples of each type of change.
Word Study Read: My Beach
This narrative text describes a child’s experience visiting a beach and noticing how the shoreline changes over time due to waves and tides. The story provides a relatable way for students to understand the concepts of erosion and deposition.
Key Concepts:
How waves and tides change the shoreline
The effects of erosion on beaches
The importance of protecting natural environments
Comprehension Questions:
What changes does the child notice at the beach?
How do waves cause erosion on the shoreline?
Why is it important to protect beaches?
Teaching Strategy:
Have students create a journal entry as if they are visiting a beach, describing the changes they observe. Include sketches of how the beach changes over time.
Key Standards Addressed in Unit 8 Week 2
This unit aligns with several Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS):
NGSS:
2-ESS1-1: Use information from several sources to provide evidence that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly.
2-ESS2-1: Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
CCSS:
RI.2.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RI.2.3: Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas, or steps in technical procedures.
W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement.
Comprehension Questions Summary
Use these questions to check student understanding of the stories and key concepts in Unit 8 Week 2:
What causes changes to the Earth’s surface?
How do people adapt to natural disasters?
What are the differences between slow and rapid changes to the Earth?
How do waves and tides change a beach over time?
Why is it important to protect natural environments from erosion?
Teaching Strategies for Unit 8 Week 2
Here are some strategies to help make this unit engaging and interactive:
1. Hands-On Experiment: Erosion in Action
Create a simple erosion experiment using sand, water, and small rocks. Show how water can move sand and change the landscape.
2. Visual Learning: Landform Changes
Use time-lapse videos of mountains, beaches, and rivers changing over time to help students visualize the process.
3. Community Discussion: Disaster Preparedness
Discuss with students how their community can prepare for natural disasters. Have them create an emergency plan for their families.
4. Creative Writing: My Natural Disaster Story
Ask students to write a story about how they would help their community during a natural disaster. Encourage them to use descriptive language and problem-solving ideas.
Conclusion
Unit 8 Week 2 of 2nd Grade Benchmark Advanced is a vital part of the curriculum that helps students understand how natural forces like wind and water shape the Earth. By exploring these engaging stories and using hands-on activities, students can develop a deeper understanding of Earth’s processes and how they impact people and communities.
Encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and explore solutions for preventing and mitigating natural changes to the environment.
