How the earth changes

Divide the class into groups of three. Have each group build a sand model. (There will be changes in their models during the week caused by bumping, drying out, etc.) Don't mention this at this point let the class discover this during the week. Try not to precondition their responses.

Provide the groups of students with boxes. Each should have about six inches of moist sand in the bottom. Instruct them to build a model of a building, town, mountain or sculpture.

Take a picture of each model and date it. Ask the children to save the models the way they are. Emphasize that no changes should be made until next week.

After one week has passed, bring the groups together to look at their models again. Compare the models to the pictures. Chart changes on the blackboard. Take new pictures of each model. Date and compare the pictures. Put additional observations on the blackboard.

Natural Science, http://server2.greatlakes.k12.mi.us/explorer/GLCbrowse/Natural^Science/index.html