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How can you stop a landslide?
Work of Water Unit | Lesson 5 of 5

How can you stop a landslide?

Work of Water Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep

DISCUSS:
What do you think happened here? What is this called?

DISCUSS:

What do you think causes landslides?

DISCUSS:

Why do you think landslides happen more often after there's been a wildfire?

DISCUSS:

How could you stop erosion from happening?

Is there anything that would work like plants do to protect hills from getting washed away?

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canyon


1 of 14

a deep hole in the ground formed over a long time by moving water
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cliff


2 of 14

a high area of land with a side that is almost straight up-and-down
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hill


3 of 14

a high area of land that isn't as tall as a mountain
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mountain


4 of 14

a high area of land with steep sides
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steep


5 of 14

something that is very high up on one end and very low at the other end
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soil


6 of 14

tiny pieces of rock and other materials that cover the ground

landslide


7 of 14

when lots of rocks and soil roll down from a cliff or mountain

erosion


8 of 14

when tiny bits of rock are moved from one place to another
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wildfire


9 of 14

a big fire that spreads quickly
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root


10 of 14

a part of a plant that is usually under the ground
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protect


11 of 14

to keep safe
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engineer


12 of 14

a person who uses science to come up with solutions to problems
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design


13 of 14

to make a plan for creating or doing something
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model


14 of 14

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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Featured Reviews

“Videos are excellent, but the activity; kids went educationally crazy; meaning, they learned a great deal about water changing the landscape and what erosion truly looks like! Thank you!!!”
“Student engagement in the engineering process with their solutions to prevent landslides :) The read works reading passages helped build background knowledge to apply in the experiment. ”
“My homeschooler really understood the concept! She was able to utilize things she has observed (like nets over rocks on a mountain) and apply them to the experiment immediately.”
“I loved the guided discussion topics. The step-by-step guide of how to do the experiment worked really well with my students. My students were very engaged in this activity and I think they really understand how erosion works, now!”
“Once again, the students were captivated with the video, the experiment, and the extras. It was so cool to see the riverbed flood and bring in all the sediment with it. It was pretty powerful for the students and it really got them to understanding gate concept of erosion!”
“Loved all their ideas-very much a STEM activity!”
“The hands on experience really helped the students understand the concepts. The videos of real life landslides and erosion prevention were great. ”
“My students loved the real videos of actual landslides happening! I found it really interesting, as well!”
“Made the kids think. Also, the kids learned how to work in teams of 4 really well and that helped me have less materials.”
“This quick easy activity really helped my 2nd graders understand how large boulders can get broken up into tiny pieces to become sand. They LOVE Mystery Science, but maybe not as much as me!! The videos and slow progression of the "mystery" make my students curious and VERY interested in science!”
“Students work like a scientist. They were so excited to create many ways to stop erosion.”
“I loved the step by step instructions for the students to follow including videos of real life. It kept them engaged and eager to experiment.”
Lesson narration:

Grade 2

Erosion & Earth’s Surface

Erosion & Engineering

2-ESS2-1, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students compare multiple solutions for preventing erosion. In the activity, Erosion Engineering, they design and test ways to keep water from washing away a hill modeled out of cornmeal.
Preview activity

Exploration

17 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Grade 2

Erosion & Earth’s Surface

Erosion & Engineering

2-ESS2-1, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3

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Water Lesson 5: How can you stop a landslide?

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