Science Worksheet · Grades 4–6
Weathering Worksheet
A printable science worksheet for grades 4-6 on weathering: the slow breaking apart of rock in place, and how it differs from erosion, which moves the broken pieces. Students classify eight examples as weathering or erosion, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Science
Grades
Grades 4–6
Skill Focus
Weathering, earth science
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
Weathering is the slow breaking apart of rock into smaller pieces right where the rock sits, caused by water, ice, wind, plant roots, and temperature changes. Erosion is different – it is the moving of those broken pieces to a new place. This worksheet teaches the key distinction: weathering breaks rock, erosion moves the broken pieces.
Section A gives eight examples (tree roots crack a sidewalk; a river carries pebbles) and asks students to write weathering or erosion. The reference box teaches the pair with a freeze-thaw cracking example and a river-carrying-sand example not reused in the items.
Section B asks students to state the difference in one sentence, name two causes of weathering, tell which happens first, and explain how freezing water breaks rock. Page 3 is a complete answer key. The skill pairs naturally with the erosion worksheet in the Earth science strand.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and stress ‘weathering BREAKS, erosion MOVES’.
Complete Section A independently – have students ask ‘is the rock breaking in place or being moved?’
Work Section B item 9 together: write the one-sentence difference as a class.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Erosion Worksheet or the Rocks and Minerals Worksheet for an Earth-science mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Weathering Worksheet
A printable science worksheet for grades 4-6 on weathering: the slow breaking apart of rock in place, and how it differs from erosion, which moves the broken pieces. Students classify eight examples as weathering or erosion, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
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