Six processes and six meanings share page 1 of this 3-page 4th grade science sheet: weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction and cementation, heat and pressure, and melting. Students write the letter of each meaning in a table. On page 2 a flow chart follows a granite mountain down a river to sandstone, with four numbered arrows to name from a four-word bank. The answer key gives each letter with its meaning, then the four process names in order.
“Tell weathering, erosion and deposition apart.”
Items 1 to 3 on page 1 and arrows 1 to 3 on the flow chart.
“Describe how loose sediment becomes sedimentary rock.”
Item 4 on page 1 and arrow 4 on the flow chart.
“Describe what heat and pressure and melting do to rock.”
Items 5 and 6 on page 1.
“Put the steps from a mountain to sandstone in order.”
The flow chart on page 2.
A table with the six processes in order and six meanings lettered A to F in mixed order. Students write a letter in the Match column, for example the one for wind, water or ice picks up and carries rock pieces away.
Five boxes: Granite mountain, Small pieces of rock, Carried by a river, Layers of sand at the river mouth and Sandstone. Four numbered arrows join them. Students choose erosion, deposition, weathering or compaction and cementation and write each on a line.
The letters C, F, D, A, E and B for the six processes, each with its meaning written out, then the four flow chart answers in order.
Verb hunt
Before students match, have them underline the verb in each meaning: breaks, picks up, drops. Those three verbs separate weathering, erosion and deposition.
River model
Pair page 2 with a stream table or a tray of sand and water. Students watch pieces get carried and dropped, then name each step.
Quiz warm-up
Run page 1 as a warm-up the day before a quiz. Six items fit in a few minutes, and the key shows which meanings still get mixed up.
Get started today
