Grade 4 · lesson 1 of 4

Separate changing and moving rock

Separate changing and moving rock using supplied evidence and a solved model.

About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice

Supplied materials

All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
Reference card A: rock broken without changed composition. Reference card B: rock minerals chemically altered.
Assessment case 1: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Ice breaks rock into pieces.
Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Acidic water alters a rock mineral.
Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: River carries gravel.
Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Gravel settles downstream.
Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Roots widen a rock crack.
Assessment case 6: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Wind piles transported sand.

Learn the idea

Weathering changes or breaks rock in place. Erosion transports particles, and deposition accumulates them elsewhere. These may occur together, so explain the observed step precisely.

Physical weathering means rock broken without changed composition. Chemical weathering means rock minerals chemically altered. Erosion means rock or sediment transported. Deposition means transported material accumulates.

For physical weathering, look for the clue “rock broken without changed composition.” For chemical weathering, look for “rock minerals chemically altered.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.

Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.

Worked example

See the method in action

Worked reference-card problem: a card states “rock broken without changed composition”; a second states “rock minerals chemically altered.” The first fits physical weathering and the second fits chemical weathering. The reason is the described function or change, not the order of the cards or a favorite name. If their descriptions exchange places, their category labels exchange too. Keep the supplied descriptions attached to the correct case.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Helpful tips

Use the feature “rock broken without changed composition” to justify physical weathering; do not sort by the name alone.
Distinguish chemical weathering (rock minerals chemically altered) from a different process occurring in the same situation.

See the answer and explanation

physical weathering

The answer is physical weathering. In the notes, it means “rock broken without changed composition.” Weathering changes or breaks rock in place. Erosion transports particles, and deposition accumulates them elsewhere. These may occur together, so explain the observed step precisely.

Take it further

Create one new case showing physical weathering and one showing chemical weathering. Expected: the first explicitly shows “rock broken without changed composition”; the second explicitly shows “rock minerals chemically altered.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

1. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Acidic water alters a rock mineral.erosiondepositionphysical weatheringchemical weathering

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: rock minerals chemically altered.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

2. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: River carries gravel.physical weatheringchemical weatheringerosiondeposition

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: rock or sediment transported.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

3. Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Gravel settles downstream.depositionphysical weatheringchemical weatheringerosion

Need a hint?

Look for the described feature: transported material accumulates.
Compare the clue with each science word. Use only what the case tells you; do not add a new event.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.